Posted on 10/13/2009 5:25:16 AM PDT by Kaslin
The Nobel Peace Prize, already devalued, has sunk to a new low. This assessment has nothing to do with one's estimation of this year's recipient, President Barack Obama. Most of those on the left, with a few predictable exceptions such as the New York Times, regard giving the president the award as belittling him and the prize.
How did this happen? What was the Oslo Committee's motive?
They may be moral idiots, but they are not stupid: I believe that they had two clear aims.
One is to undercut American exceptionalism -- the notion that America has a superior moral value system to that of the "world" (specifically the United Nations and the European Union) and America's willing to use its unique power, alone when necessary, in accordance with that value system. The other is to promote an essentially pacifist agenda.
Here is the entire announcement of the Nobel Peace Prize committee:
1. "The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 is to be awarded to President Barack Obama for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples."
Meaning: No more Lone Ranger America.
2. "The Committee has attached special importance to Obama's vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons."
Meaning: The Nobel Committee wants no country to possess nuclear weapons. That an American president shares this dream and is working to achieve it excites the Nobel Committee -- and the world's left generally -- beyond words.
Many people around the world -- not just Americans -- would characterize a world in which America and all other decent countries had no nuclear weapons not as a dream, but as a nightmare. But for the naive left-wing (a redundant phrase: If one is not naive about evil, one is not on the left) members of the Nobel Committee, the prospect of encouraging an American president to dismantle his country's nuclear arsenal was too tempting to allow to pass -- even at the price of appearing foolish.
3. "Obama has as President created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play."
Meaning: To the international left, as embodied by the five members of the Nobel Prize Committee, the United Nations is the beacon of hope for mankind.
To many Americans and others, however, the United Nations is regarded as a moral wasteland that rewards some of world's cruelest regimes with seats on its Human Rights Committee, does nothing to prevent genocides (some would way say the U.N. actually abets them), honoring tyrants, and mired in corruption.
4. "Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts."
Meaning: As the pacifist bumper sticker puts it: "War is not the answer."
Oslo's approach echoes what the British government under Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain believed vis a vis Adolf Hitler. But had Hitler been confronted instead of "dialogued" with, perhaps tens of millions of innocent men and women's lives would have been spared and the Holocaust averted. Europeans tend to believe that evil regimes will act responsibly because of dialogue, not threats of force.
5. "The vision of a world free from nuclear arms has powerfully stimulated disarmament and arms control negotiations."
Meaning: We believe that a world in which no country possesses nuclear weapons will be a safer world. We believe that even though the technology to make nuclear weapons will still exist, no terrorist organization, nor any other bad people, will make such weapons.
The existence and deterrent power of nuclear weapons have probably saved as many lives as have antibiotics. As David Von Drehle writes in this week's Time Magazine, "If the Nobel committee wants someday to honor the force that has done the most over the past 60 years to end industrial-scale war, they will award a peace prize to the bomb."
6. "Thanks to Obama's initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting."
Meaning: To our delight, unlike the previous president, this one believes in global warming and in changing the American economy to combat it.
The "climate change" scare has become the most effective vehicle for compelling a transformation of Western economies along the lines that left-wing environmentalists have urged for decades.
7. "Democracy and human rights are to be strengthened."
This, unfortunately, has no meaning; it is nonsense. Under Barack Obama, the United States has not been the friend of democrats around the world. America has responded weakly to the democratic movement in Iran, ended the funding of the largest pro-Iranian human rights groups in America, pressured democratic Israel, made overtures to Hugo Chavez while denying American ally and pro-democratic Colombia a free trade agreement, abandoned Honduran anti-Chavez democrats, and has obsequiously deferred to Vladimir Putin.
8. "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."
Meaning: Only very rarely does the European left have such a kindred spirit in the American presidency.
9. "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."
Meaning: With Barack Obama, we in Europe finally have an opportunity to end American exceptionalism.
The Oslo committee's view is, tragically, true. Thanks to Barack Obama, America is for the first time is aligning its values with those of "the majority of the world's population." If you think the world's population has had better values than America, that it has made societies that are more open, free, and tolerant than American society, and that it has fought for others' liberty more than America has, you should be delighted.
In othe words, the Left sucks big time.
You got it
Plus scandanavian countries are overrun with muslims leaching their government welfare system dry and the muslims are breeding much faster than the scandanavians.
Yes, they are so happy that America now has a Marxist president to drag it down to below their level.
The author and the rest of the world has somehow forgotten that Obama is not the first president to share this dream. Ronaldus Magnus proposed the elimination of all nuclear weapons decades ago.
http://www.heritage.org/Research/NationalSecurity/hl953.cfm
The Nobel was a booby prize for obama for having lost out on all that Olympics money.
That’s all.
I have a much shorter answer - symbolism over substance. Plus, the Nobel committee can't resist revealing who/what they really are!!!
True Americans carry their nation, their country, in their very hearts, it cannot be destroyed, it’s an idea, not a physical thing. As one FReeper used to have as his tag: “America is in me, I am not in America” (probably misquoted but the essence is there). They can destroy the symbols of America but we carry the true America in us wherever we go, whatever group we join or belong to, the idea of America springs from that, we can’t help it, it’s so much a part of us.
It’s odd, but the Left doesn’t seem to have that innate sense of country, nation, mindful purpose, they seem incapable of that, puzzling. I think part of it is that they seem to deify things, nature, man, the creature rather than the creator. But that is beyond my simple mind.
This is what gives me optimism. We have learned from the Bible and the brief history of our nation that it doesn’t take overwhelming numbers to accomplish good things, to uphold righteousness, to overcome evil intent. The road may be rough, thorny and full of obstacles but perseverance and strength come from God ultimately and we should not lose sight of that.
Sarah Palin is a good modern day example of that perseverance, that inner strength and purpose within and we all know where that comes from...
Why not? The Dept of "Justice" has now become his personal Law firm, defending him in court on cases filed before he became the cheif executive.
Great post! Thanks for expressing the way we should feel.
I’m in Europe at the moment,trying to explain Obama and what he is trying to do to us to my horrified conservative friends here.
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ANALYSIS Mark Steyn insightfully wrote: Why should Obama squander his presidency trying to turn an economically-moribund feudal Mideast backwater like Afghanistan into a functioning nation state, when he can turn the functioning nation-state of America into an economically-moribund feudal backwater?
It took the Nobel Prize to finally unveil the conspiracies of Ohaha/Rahm (and all the Dem sheeps in wolves clothing). When candidate Obama suggested he wanted to be another Reagan, the intent was to gull the electorate. Now the lefty Nobelists blew his cover.
Obama's handler, the wily Rahm Emanuel, duped the American electorate time and time again. (a) He ran the Marxist Ohaha as a clone of Ronald Reagan. (b) As 2006 Dem Congressional Campaign Committee Chair, Rahm ran Godless, lefty Congressional candidates in solid Republican districts as "reverential believers."
Rahm's motto: "Party First, America Last." He is mentally disturbed: obsessed with party politics. Installing a permanent leftist majority of Dims is his game. This nasty toad evinces an utter contempt for US culture.
Calculated Rahm softly/coyly speaks the language to appeal to American values, but this conniver is nothing more than a latter-day Uriah Heep. Like Uriah Heep, power-hungry Rahm feeds on others, and deploys self-serving strategies for his own self-absorbed purposes.
Dickens' ingratiating scoundrel (from David Copperfield) fits Rahm to a tee. Uriah Heep was notorious for wielding undue influence, a manipulative bounder who was always planning and plotting, ingratiating himself into the confidence of others. Uriah Heep was obsequious, manipulative, and wormed his way into positions of influence. Uriah was a consummate con man, and not to be trusted. Translated into the language of the popular culture, Uriah Heep Rahm, positions himself as amenable to American values but is insincere in these feelings; he uses issues and crises to advance his hidden agendas and political ambitions.
REFERENCE Obama was the Peace Prize winner b/c of the Committee's hopes for his world-impact -- but at home Obama has been on a roll . In 9 months, he has breathed life into Republicans, boosted pro-lifers, tarnished regulation, bolstered traditional values, increased the public's desire for immigration restriction, and shifted independent voters rightward......revivifying conservatism qualifies as a feat almost as miraculous as Moses turning back oceans. Gallup surveys are a long catalog of the Obama snap-back. 40% describe themselves as conservative -- a level last seen in 2004. 51% call themselves pro-life -- a significant shift. 57% say government is trying to do too many things best left to the private sector. It's the worst showing for govt regulation ever in a Gallup survey. When candidate Obama suggested he wanted to be "another Reagan," this wasn't what he had in mind. But for now, he's the right's best community organizer....for Republicans.
SOURCE: NY POST BY NATIONAL REVIEW'S RICH LOWRY.
Tom Daschle, Rahm Emanuel, and until recently Vernon Jordan have been Obama's promoters and impresarios.
Until tapped by Obama, though, Emanuel was working for Nancy Pelosi, and before that, the Klintonx.
Pelosi is ideologically rigid, but I evaluate her as frail and brittle. Hillary and Emanuel remain the big threat on the Left, and for the moment, fortunately, Obama and Emanuel are isolating and starving Hillary. (Dare I say, "emasculating"?)
Right now, Emanuel seems to be running the Obama Adminstration and what's left of the Klinton organization. Carville, Clintonopoulos, Begala, Podesta, Brock, and one supposes Larry Flynt as well, all snap to Emanuel's beck and call.
Has anybody tried to map this dog's breakfast of Lefties lately?
20 things you’ll never hear Obama say
1. Not everything is a federal issue; some things are for the states to decide.
2. I hear what you’re saying and you have a good point.
3. One of the beautiful things about our constitution is the liberty given to individuals to pursue their dreams. There is great opportunity in our country to succeed.
4. In an effort to stimulate job growth and despite the objections from my party, I am working with Congress to reduce taxes for small businesses.
5. I am saddened by the cycle of poverty that exists in our major cities, and here is a way we can empower the next generation to break the cycle and fulfill their God-given potential....
6. The folks at the town hall meetings and those who came to Washington on 9/12 were exercising one of the greatest rights we have as Americans, freedom of speech.
7. Stop already with all forms of ‘cult of personality’ behavior. I am a public servant, just like all those who have served before and all who will come after my term is complete. It’s not about me, it’s about the country.
8. I heard a great message Sunday morning at church.
9. History teaches us that evil exists in the world; for this reason the United States must remain strong, ready to defend itself and its allies.
10. I didn’t realize a communist was part of my administration. It won’t happen again.
11. The billions siphoned out of health care into lawyers’ pockets never healed a single person.
12. No other country on earth offers its citizens the opportunity to pursue life, liberty, and happiness as does the United States of America.
13. The experts have looked at the proposed (fill-in-the-blank) program, and when it is extrapolated out beyond just the initial offering there is clear evidence it will cost too much money and will eventually fail.
14. I disagree 100% with the Cloward-Piven strategy of increasing the welfare rolls and overwhelming the financial system, and I am not affiliated in any way with the implementation of such an idea.
15. I don’t know the answer to your question but I will give it some thought.
16. The goal of my presidency is not to implement a political ideology, but to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.
17. Every person has value regardless of age, gender, color, physical characteristics, or any other factor.
18. Any healthcare bill I sign must include a provision to exclude the rationing of care, keep the door open for competition among insurers, and promote the opportunity for our young people to pursue an education in the medical fields to ensure future supply meets future demand.
19. It is important for legislators to remember that what helps someone in the short-term may actually hurt them in the long-term, and we must avoid this kind of scenario.
20. It has become clear to me after meeting with military experts that their recommendations should be implemented in our current situation; this is not an area in which politics can be allowed to interfere.
Above from a random e-mail:
My additions.
21. I pledge to vigorously defend our borders, and those who have broken our sovereign laws by illegally crossing our borders will be punished to the full extent of the law.
22. Smaller government equals more freedom, opportunity and happiness for the individual, and is a fundamental basis for the founding of our great country.
You got that right----they took away most of her diplomatic portfolios, figuring she'd quit. No such luck. She's hanging on like Crazy Glue---no other prospects, I guess. Although they tried to pry her off with the NY governorship bait.......Bama even went so far as to throw rocks at Paterson.
Right now, Emanuel IS running the Obama Admin, and the Klinton leftovers, who all snap to Emanuel's beck and call.
As you know, Rahm and Axelrod hatched the Obama thing---running the Marxist as Ronald Reagan, and taking over the Congress with fake candidates running in Repub districts as "reverential religionists." They were as shocked as anyone that voters were that stupid, and that the evil plan actually succeeded.
Obama is a clueless puppet and is sinking fast. "Wonder Boy Rahm" will use Obama like he uses everyone else.......as a steppingstone to more power and money. Obama will be left with the legacy of failure while Rahm and his minions move on to lucrative pastures.
Rahm used Obama like a cheap pinata to gain access to the Federal treasury, the bailout trillions, the banks, the auto companies, the health care billions (Rahm's brother Dr Zeke is in charge of that---but Zeke was spit-shining his penny loafers when the subject of "death panels" surfaced).
Rahm and Dr Zeke are "totally perfect" even though they were never voted Most Likely To Succeed (/snic). There's ANOTHER perfect bro in Hollywood.
RAHM, THE WONDER BOY'S, MANIFESTATIONS Balletomane, Israeli military volunteer, Chicago operator, Clinton advisor/fund-raiser, multi-millionaire investment banker, Congressman, founded The Rahm Emanuel and Amy Rule Charitable Trust tax dodge, Ohaha's COS.
TRULY FRIGHTENING Ohaha has stated that Rahm tells him "everything he needs to know about Israel." Emanuel is a dual Israeli-American citizen. It is not clear whether a dual citizen is permitted to serve in a high level US govt job who makes policy decisions for American citizens.
I would give anything to see the wire transfers, cell phone records and emails of this nasty toad Rahm.
(1) Did Rahm fillout the 63-count seven-page personnel application Obama gave to potential appointees?
(2) How did Rahm outline his activities on the Freddie Mac Board as Clinton's appointee (described as rife with fraudulent bonus schemes)?
(3) Was Rahm involved in Clinton's pardon of tax cheat Marc Rich?
(4) Working in the cozy canyons of Wall Street, did Rahm ever know (and email) ripoff artist Madoff?
(5) Did Rahm reveal his activities with the military of a foreign government?
(6) Did Wall Street Rahm reveal all his ties to financial institutions involved in Obama's federal bailout?
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Is Obama is implementing Rahm's "The Plan" (from Rahm's book "The Plan, Big Ideas for America")
REFERENCE Rahm Emanuel's main points-----which Obama is now trying to ram down our throats.
1. Page 160 New Domestic Defense Division
Rahm: “It should include top security talent from the CIA, the FBI, and the ranks of state and local law enforcement.
Obama: The new task force: The Team would be drawn from those with relevant experience probably from agencies such as the FBI, CIA, and the Pentagon…” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124787391051060705.html
2. Page 58 Citizen service:
Rahm: “Every citizen needs to understand and accept the essence of the American bargain: Each of us has to do his or her part. While the rights of citizenship are explicit in our constitution, the implicit responsibilities are every bit as crucial. All Americans between ages of 18-25 will be asked to serve their country by going through 3 months of basic training, civil defense preparation, and community service”.
http://change.gov/americaserves/
“Obama and Biden will call on citizens of all ages to serve”.
HR 1388 Serve America Act
For more information on HR1388 http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-1388
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Rahm's Citizen Service “The nation will enlist them for 3 months of civilian service. They’ll be asked to report for basic civil defense training in their state or community.”
Obama:” We cannot continue to rely on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we’ve set. We’ve got to have a civilian national security force that’s just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded”. http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/07/obamas_civilian_national_secur.html
“Obama will call on citizens of all ages to serve America, by developing a plan to require 50 hours of community service in middle school and high school and 100 hours of community service in college every year”. http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=80829
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