Obama

[BarTopDancer]

I agree, it's an award for not being GWB or another war-monger.

I think it will cripple our efforts in the Middle East too - now he has to be a peace maker instead of a President in war-time.

[Strangler Lewis]

No, you must destroy the village in order to save it.

He can still do what he wants. Of course, they can rescind the award. I don't know if he'd have to give the money back, though.

If he wanted to look ballsy, he'd decline it.

[The Lovely Mrs. tod]

Originally Posted by Alex

On the plus side, I assume that Glenn Beck's head exploding will finally get him off the air.

That alone is worth a million bucks.

I keep checking my e-mail, I can't wait to see what Michael Steele's letter says.

[3894]

Originally Posted by The Lovely Mrs. tod

I keep checking my e-mail, I can't wait to see what Michael Steele's letter says.

Well, the DNC has a response:

The Republican Party has thrown in its lot with the terrorists -- the Taliban and Hamas this morning -- in criticizing the President for receiving the Nobel Peace prize. Republicans cheered when America failed to land the Olympics and now they are criticizing the President of the United States for receiving the Nobel Peace prize -- an award he did not seek but that is nonetheless an honor in which every American can take great pride -- unless of course you are the Republican Party. The 2009 version of the Republican Party has no boundaries, has no shame and has proved that they will put politics above patriotism at every turn. It's no wonder only 20 percent of Americans admit to being Republicans anymore - it's an embarrassing label to claim."

Source is here. Right now, I'm super-extra much enjoying being a yellow-dog Dem.

[Alex]

From a purely logistical point of view, what is the legality of the president accepting the cash portion of the prize (or even the medal assuming it has significant cash value)?

Presumably, Exxon would not have been able to create a "You're a Great Guy! Award" and giving the medal with $10 million cash prize to Dick Cheney while he was vice president.

[Gn2Dlnd]

Is the Nobel Committee peddling Range Rovers now? If your concern is that they're buying influence and favors, I'd like to know what product you thing they're selling. Peace? ZOMG!?!

[Alex]

No, I'm not at all worried that the Nobel Committee is buying influence.

That said, the laws regulating the acceptance of gifts, etc., don't necessarily make a judgment call on the intent of a gift. I know there are very strict rules on when and how the president himself can keep ceremonial gifts from other heads of state, for example, as opposed to them being the property of the United States. This is an award to Barack Obama the person, not Barack Obama representing the United States.

That said, the prize is given quite explicitly with a policy goal of highlighting the recipient and the recipient's efforts towards peace and to therefore hopefully help propel the recipient to success.

Certainly don't mean to suggest anything pernicious here, just curious what the rules are.

[3894]

Originally Posted by Alex

From a purely logistical point of view, what is the legality of the president accepting the cash portion of the prize (or even the medal assuming it has significant cash value)?

The Swedish Nobel medal is the size of a largish drink coaster and solid gold. They also give out copies to members of the family; those are gold-plated. For the Norwegian Nobel Peace medal:

In its original form, the medal was in 23 carat gold and weighed 192 grams; from 1980 on this was changed to 18 carats and 196 grams. Its diameter has always remained the same: 6.6 cms

Source is here.

[Gemini Cricket]

Feeling kinda mixed about him getting this award. Yes, he's more of a communicator than his predecessor but not being Bush isn't a good reason to give someone the Nobel Peace Prize.
I'm a fan of his but I'm underwhelmed by Obama so far.

[The Lovely Mrs. tod]

Michael Steele has surfaced.

The real question Americans are asking is, “What has President Obama actually accomplished?” It is unfortunate that the president’s star power has outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements working towards peace and human rights. One thing is certain — President Obama won’t be receiving any awards from Americans for job creation, fiscal responsibility, or backing up rhetoric with concrete action.

I'll admit, when the hubby came into the bedroom this morning and waved that cup of coffee under my sleeping face and said "guess what?" my first reaction was "Say WHAT?" I was far from displeased but a bit puzzled. But then, it's not the Nobel Prize for Medicine either. It's subjective. I don't think it's going to add, or detract from what Obama already shows.

And, frankly, I think it's kinda cool. Things so seldom surprise me anymore.