Semi-political post: Duck and cover as needed!

[thistlechaser]

As much as I endlessly love Obama, I was a tad surprised when I heard he won the Nobel Peace Prize. However, once I did a little checking, it made sense. I had thought the prize was given for things the person had done, but I (like many others) had been mistaken. More often than not, the prize is awarded to encourage those who receive it to see the effort through, sometimes at critical moments.

So it makes sense, woo! Not that that will stop the right wing folks from frothing at the mouth, but still!

(Ha ha, I so don't want to press 'post' because of the risk of people arguing and being annoyed in comments, but I'm going to risk it in case people like me hadn't understood how the prize worked.)

Comments

[veloxe.livejournal.com]

Oh god!

*jumps into his bunker*

I'm ready for political gibberish!

(I didn't know that about the awards, learn something every day from Thistle! Some things I wish I never knew, but most are useful...)

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Some things I wish I never knew, but most are useful...

Ha! That about sums up my LJ. :P

[deathchibi.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's been interesting to see the reactions. I also think they did it as a sort of encouragement to keep it up too.

(But I'm glad we've got a president trying to undo all the diplomatic damage done by a certain previous president.)

And some people will froth just to froth. :P

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

(But I'm glad we've got a president trying to undo all the diplomatic damage done by a certain previous president.)

Heck yes!

[quistie.livejournal.com]

Well...I have to say it's a bit premature. I understand that the prize is awarded to create momentum, but in this case I think it's a bit too much, too soon.

At the very least, Obama will be an average president (and I think chances are he will be above-average). And another four years of that would be pretty valuable. I am afraid that the Nobel Peace Prize will raise expectations to an unrealistic level, where anything short of an excellent job may cost him politically. Receiving the same award next year will offer the same amount of encouragement, with the added advantage of seeing Obama slightly more established after being president for a full year.

I don't dislike the result; I'm just not sure about the timing.

*Edited for typo...*

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I am afraid that the Nobel Peace Prize will raise expectations to an unrealistic level, where anything short of an excellent job may cost him politically

Ugh, you might be right...