[Yoda]

Not sure if this topic is allowed here or not. I reread the rules & it simply says, "Limit your direct discussion of politics and religion, as people usually hold pretty strong opinions about these topics". What if politics is indirectly part of the discussion? What then?

Is the Nobel Prize political? I understand how it is related but think it is possible to have a civilized discussion that does not focus on that aspect. Or is it?

Before I put much time into texting my thoughts I want to know if the thread will be locked or deleted because I have other ways to waste my time than composing posts that will disappear.

Anyone?

[NuckingFutz]

I personally think it is a great topic. I think if a post gets to controversal, we can trust in the moderators to handle it at that time.

[VickiesPath]

It is a good question yet the question is only raised because the recipient is a political figure. If anyone else had received it, we would be safe. IMHO.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by Vickie in Phoenix

It is a good question yet the question is only raised because the recipient is a political figure. If anyone else had received it, we would be safe. IMHO.

Well yes that figure is what started me thinking about this but I am thinking of the prize as a whole rather than on a single recipient. But a few others who received the prize were political figures too. (I suppose most but that's not my point). Some of them I felt deserved it for a job well done & others received it for "trying" to accomplish something even when they failed miserably.

So for me the topic isn't so much about "who" but more about the criteria for selecting the recipients both at its inception & now.

You follow?

[Perna]

"Every year since 1901 the Nobel Prize has been awarded for achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and for peace. The Nobel Prize is an international award administered by the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm, Sweden."

and

"Each year the respective Nobel Committees send individual invitations to thousands of members of academies, university professors, scientists from numerous countries, previous Nobel Laureates, members of parliamentary assemblies and others, asking them to submit candidates for the Nobel Prizes for the coming year. These nominators are chosen in such a way that as many countries and universities as possible are represented over time."

From: http://nobelprize.org

The award is not something the recipient (or anyone besides the organization awarding it) can do anything about. Only thing President Obama could do is turn it down if he wanted to.

[ECHOES]

Perna!! Good to 'see' you

[VickiesPath]

I'm with ya, Yoda. Political = politician in this case. Proceed.

[Blue93]

I don't think anyone's saying it's Obama's fault he got the Nobel prize (Perna)
Just lots of people seem to think he hasn't accomplished enough (yet) to earn the prize.
I do like Obama though and hopefully in the future he will accomplish many things... We shall see I guess!

[KathyM]

According to Alfred Nobel's will:

"during the preceding year [...] shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses"

I believe the prize was justified. Obama did a lot to change the tone throughout the world during his campaign - inspiring harmony rather than hostility,honest dialogue rather than cheap shots and rhetoric.

It would have been rude of him to refuse the prize given to him - it would have been an insult to the committee. However, I think it was good of him to donate the money he received to charity. I was impressed with his acceptance speech - he acknowledged it wasn't just about him, and he (and the U.S.) can't do it alone.

[Zetsubou]

I believe the Nobel Peace Prize was given to Obama as a Thank You Gift for not being Bush. Meaning, pushing forth an agenda to tackle climate change and engage with enemies diplomatically. I'm an Obama supporter but I think they should've waited at least a year or 2 before giving such a huge award.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by Zetsubou

I believe the Nobel Peace Prize was given to Obama as a Thank You Gift for not being Bush..

LOL

Actually Obama was only a part of what I am thinking about. The Nobel Peace Prize has been the most controversial of the prizes but the others have been poorly chosen (IMO) at times too.

More from Yoda when I have time & energy to formulate coherent thoughts...

[KathyM]

I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts. In the meantime, here's an article on the subject - Nobel committee defending their decision.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...DVZCgD9BAFHMO0

[AAAAA]

(((PERNA))) Where have you been?!?!? So good to see you!

On the topic of the thread, I think the award may have been premature, but I believe he deserves it none the less. I cannot explain my opinion further without breaking our community guidelines.

I think the award was far too premature and he hasn't done anything to warrant/deserve it yet, in my humble opinion, and I wish he would have rejected it.

[Yoda]

I am up to my eyeballs in crocodiles right now so little time now to compose my thoughts. My "TO LIST" is expanding more rapidly than my "DONE" list. You know the story.

So post away in the meantime with your thoughts. The reason I titled this Nobel Prize rather than Nobel Peace Prize is that while the peace prize seems to consistently through recent decades to be more controversial than the others scientists with significant contributions have been overlooked for some of the other prizes.

I would like to discuss this in the broad sense. I know that Obama is currently the controversy of the day but he is not my focus. I intended for this thread to discuss the Nobel Prize; it is not my intent to be a political discussion but some of the people happen to be politicians. I believe that we can have a civilized discussion of political figures without politics being the central focus.

I know that there will disagreement in this discussion and that is fine. In fact I look forward to it. On other communities I have posted/read thread that were controversial and at times people discussed facts or thoughts that I had not considered and they changed my thinking. In my opinion that is the benefit of debate.

I'll be back soon (I hope).