How 'Nobel' is Barack Obama?
Point counter Point
Cindy Petersen and William Mornini
Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: Opinion
cindy petersen
news editor
President Barack Obama is being unduly criticized for winning the Nobel Peace Prize. It was a surprise to the world, even to the president himself.
The Nobel Prize judges chose Obama "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between people," something he has been working toward even before becoming president.
Obama said in his acceptance speech of the prize that he didn't deserve it. "Let me be clear," he said. "I do not view it as recognition of my own accomplishments but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people of all nations."
Obama's critics were quick to say they thought the president hasn't done anything to warrant such an honor. But Nobel Prize judges said the prize was "deserved and unanimous."
Obama had no prior knowledge that he was being considered for the prize, so why are so many condemning him? If people don't agree with the decision, they should be taking it up with the judges instead of bad-mouthing the president.
I have heard repeatedly that Obama received the prize on merit alone and he could fall short of the world's expectations.
According to Thobjoern Jagland, chairman of the Nobel Prize committee, "awarding of the prize to Obama was seen as an early vote of confidence, intended to build global support for the policies of his immature administration."
Along with the prestigious honor there is a cash award of $1.4 million, which the president will be giving to charity. Some people figured he would pocket the money, but the rest of us knew better.
Having a little more faith in our president might help prove to the world that the judges were right in awarding him the Nobel Peace Prize.
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william mornini
multimedia editor
Wouldn't it be nice to get a college degree for only having the intention of graduating? Sounds silly to me. Coincidentally, that's pretty much what happened a few weeks ago when President Barack Obama received the Nobel Peace Prize.
news editor
President Barack Obama is being unduly criticized for winning the Nobel Peace Prize. It was a surprise to the world, even to the president himself.
The Nobel Prize judges chose Obama "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between people," something he has been working toward even before becoming president.
Obama said in his acceptance speech of the prize that he didn't deserve it. "Let me be clear," he said. "I do not view it as recognition of my own accomplishments but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people of all nations."
Obama's critics were quick to say they thought the president hasn't done anything to warrant such an honor. But Nobel Prize judges said the prize was "deserved and unanimous."
Obama had no prior knowledge that he was being considered for the prize, so why are so many condemning him? If people don't agree with the decision, they should be taking it up with the judges instead of bad-mouthing the president.
I have heard repeatedly that Obama received the prize on merit alone and he could fall short of the world's expectations.
According to Thobjoern Jagland, chairman of the Nobel Prize committee, "awarding of the prize to Obama was seen as an early vote of confidence, intended to build global support for the policies of his immature administration."
Along with the prestigious honor there is a cash award of $1.4 million, which the president will be giving to charity. Some people figured he would pocket the money, but the rest of us knew better.
Having a little more faith in our president might help prove to the world that the judges were right in awarding him the Nobel Peace Prize.
--------------------------------------------
william mornini
multimedia editor
Wouldn't it be nice to get a college degree for only having the intention of graduating? Sounds silly to me. Coincidentally, that's pretty much what happened a few weeks ago when President Barack Obama received the Nobel Peace Prize.
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