Obama Awarded 2009 Nobel Peace Prize

[Sewer Bull]

(CNN) -- President Obama was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday.
Less than nine months into his presidency, Barack Obama has been awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.

Less than nine months into his presidency, Barack Obama has been awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.

The first African-American to win the White House, Obama was praised by the Norwegian Nobel Committee for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples."

"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," the committee said. "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."

The committee also said Obama has "created a new climate in international politics."

The announcement came as a surprise -- Obama's name had not been mentioned among front-runners -- and the roomful of reporters in Oslo, Norway, gasped when he was named.

In his short time in office, Obama has acted on a wide range of issues from the economy to terrorism and wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Obama also lobbied unsuccessfully to bring the 2016 Olympics to Chicago, Illinois. After returning from Denmark, Obama expressed no regret about his trip, saying it is "always a worthwhile endeavor to promote and boost the United States."

Former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, last year's Peace Prize laureate, said it was clear the Nobel committee wanted to encourage Obama on the issues he has been discussing on the world stage.

"I see this as an important encouragement," Ahtisaari said.

The committee wanted to be "far more daring" than in recent times and make an impact on global politics, said Kristian Berg Harpviken, director of the International Peace Research Institute.

Wangari Muta Maathai, the Kenyan who won the 2004 Peace Prize, said Obama's win will help Africa move forward.

"I think it is extraordinary," she said. "It will be even greater inspiration for the world. He has shown how we can probably come together, work together in a cooperative way."

The award comes at a crucial time for Obama, who has administration officials dispatched on global peace missions.

Obama's envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, has returned to the region to advocate for peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. Mitchell met Thursday with Israeli President Shimon Peres. He plans to meet Friday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before talking with Palestinian leaders in the West Bank.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton starts a six-day trip to Europe and Russia on Friday. On the trip, the secretary will discuss the next steps on Iran and North Korea, and international efforts to have the two countries end their nuclear programs.

The centerpiece of the trip will be her visit to Moscow, where she will work toward an agreement to take the place of the Start II arms control pact, which expires December 5. She will also address the new bilateral presidential commission that is working on a broad range of issues, from arms control to health.

Obama became the third sitting U.S. president to win the prestigious prize. Jimmy Carter was the fourth American leader to win, but he was long out of office when he was recognized in 2002.

This year's peace prize nominees included 172 people and 33 organizations, the highest number of nominations ever. The committee does not release the names of the nominees.


http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/09/nobel.peace.prize/index.html

I guess it really is just an encouragement for him to keep his plans and promises. Cos' seriously, what did he do so far, except for touring Europe, giving up the idea of anti-missile shield and giving a speech at UN?

Thank you, Norway. Type Chi-ha is just going to hate us even more for that :roll:

[Spitfire]

He has a lot of fancy plans. I wouldn't have given him crap till he actually made them all work. Seems to me they had no one better to give it to or they just got a little too excited about him.

[poiuytre]

What a joke. They should have at least waited for him to be in office for a full year before giving him the Peace award for being the first black president of the America. I'm sure he's capable of doing something that warrants a Nobel Peace Prize, but he has done no such thing so far. If you look at the time line, he was already nominated for this back in February, where he was only a month on the job. Let's stop giving out awards for good intentions and wait for some results first, OK?

The first African-American to win the White House, Obama was praised by the Norwegian Nobel Committee for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples."
They do realise that he's been refusing to meet the Dalai Lama out of fear to upset the China, right? That doesn't sound like a very extraordinary effort to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.


I just hope this doesn't cause too much of backlash to him somehow. Perhaps he should respectfully decline the prize? He's bound to get a nomination again sooner or later anyway.

::edit::
Actually looking at the previous winners, it seems like this is pretty standard fare. Looks like the Peace category isn't held in that high of a regard as the other ones either.

[Anarky]

Wow, sweet. You've got to be rather good to get a prize while not having achieved anything yet. Either that or the alternatives looked really bad. His "Come on, muslim extremists, let's simmer down and talk for a bit" is a mighty gesture, but it seems that they're a bit too quick in giving him the prize.

I hope he lives up to the prize, though. It is a healthy idea he has there.

[odupianist]

http://www.hulu.com/watch/99945/saturday-night-live-obama-address#s-p2-sr-i1

[Candy Kappa]

It's because he looks so peaceful... The pun! THE PUN!!



Thank you, Norway.

:P

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

::edit::
Actually looking at the previous winners, it seems like this is pretty standard fare. Looks like the Peace category isn't held in that high of a regard as the other ones either.

One previous winner was Yasser Arafat. 'Nuff said.

[BoggleKng]

Hmmm, still fighting a war and you get the Noble Peace Prize?!!! Not that I don't like Da Bamba but right now he is a lot of talk and promises... Actions speak louder than words in the long run... This award makes Noble Peace Prize look like a joke and the Noble Committee a bunch of ass kissing fools... His Holiness the Dalai Lama received the prize before... talk about someone committed to peace...

[Raph's Girl]

Well... I guess since he didn't get the Olympics they decided to give him a consolation (nobel peace) prize. :roll:

[Ninjinister]

Sideshow Bob made it perfectly clear that Nobel Prize is not awarded for attempted physics... what makes attempted peace any different?

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

Thank you, Norway. Type Chi-ha is just going to hate us even more for that :roll:

Nah. Not when even Obama's most ardent supporters are calling the whole thing ridiculous. :lol:

[PAAATE]

In Sweden we've always made jokes about Norwegians being stupid...

... But are they really just jokes?

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

Just when you thought the news couldn't have gotten worse...

I since learned that nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize have to be submitted by February of the awarding year. So Obama had to be selected when he wasn't even president for more than a month or so!

With that in mind, he could have refused it without shame to himself, as he could honestly claim he hadn't earned it yet. But by accepting it now, with no good reason to, he ends up looking like a foolish egotist. If Karl Rove had set the whole thing up to greatly embarrass the Obama administration, he couldn't have done better! :P

[愛]

I'd be angry about Obama winning, too, if this was actually anything important.

[Canadian Turtle]

Wow... I wouldn't have guessed everyone would be so negative about this. I guess you wouldn't have any idea what he means unless you live outside the US.

I am not saying he has done anything special in office, I am sure that people are frustrated with him, but I would argue that you can't blame him completely, you have no idea what kind of crap system he is dealing with. In fact his lack of action might actually show America the flaw in the system, as the president actually doesn't have much of any power.

ANYWAYS back to my point. The fact that he was voted in DRAMATICALLY changed the world view of the US. Just the act of becoming the first black president did more than any of us can ever appreciate. That is all I will say about that.

[BoggleKng]

I take your point... just seems like a lot of hype, just way too soon..

[ThirdMarioBro]

I consider myself an Obama supporter, but this is a crock. Its like giving a kid a trophy for showing up to school on time. He's done absolutely nothing so far outside of setting the FCC on Net Neutrality (thank heavens), and "considering" repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell (which he needs to get done now). He's still committed to fighting two wars we can't morally or financially afford, we're still in Iraq, Guantanamo will probably still be open in 2012, meaningful health care reform isn't coming because of his corrupt constituents in congress, and he just told the Dali Lama to GTFO so the American landlords in China don't ruffle their panties (shows who the real world leader is, eh?). He deserves no such award because he isn't really doing anything worthy of the award.

Frankly, I'd be really freaking pissed about this if not for what Ai just said.

I'd be angry about Obama winning, too, if this was actually anything important.

Exactly.

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

Wow... I wouldn't have guessed everyone would be so negative about this. I guess you wouldn't have any idea what he means unless you live outside the US.

I am not saying he has done anything special in office, I am sure that people are frustrated with him, but I would argue that you can't blame him completely, you have no idea what kind of crap system he is dealing with. In fact his lack of action might actually show America the flaw in the system, as the president actually doesn't have much of any power.

ANYWAYS back to my point. The fact that he was voted in DRAMATICALLY changed the world view of the US. Just the act of becoming the first black president did more than any of us can ever appreciate. That is all I will say about that.

Well, if the US is getting any benefits out of this new world opinion, I sure see no sign of it. It's beside the point anyway. All we care about is whether he can do the job-and it is looking more and more like he can't, not even with his party having a solid veto-proof majority in Congress. Just because he may be loved outside the US (which may not be for very much longer at the rate things are going) doesn't prove he's a good President. Ask the Russians how they liked Boris Yeltsin.

[GK Punk]

Jesus Tap dancing christ. He we go again.

[Cipher]

Probably chiming in too late, but yeah, this is kind of a load of sh*t. I voted for Obama, I generally support him, but what exactly did he do to get this? He got elected. In all likelyhood he was a shoe-in the moment he took office, as long as the world didn't erupt into nuclear war during his term.

And yet, the world goes on. There have been plenty of undeserving recipients of this award.

[Archon_Turtle]

Hey, atleast he actually said in his press conference that he didn't believe he was deserving. I mean...even he thinks its a load.

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

Jesus Tap dancing christ. He we go again.

You're right, excuse me. I was trying to explain some things to someone who strikes me as rather slow on the uptake.

[GK Punk]

It's cool, I just don't want a repeat of the last time. As long as it doesn't happen again, there's no harm done.

And that goes for everyone.

[XERO]

Whoa, that's crazy. I didn't even know he was nominated.

[Sewer Bull]

Note that, aside from a fancy medal and additional paragraph in his Wikipedia article, the laureate receives US$1.4 million. Now I guess there is a bunch of peace activists worldwide who struggle for cash much harder than President Obama.

Unless they decided to fund his healthcare reform with that money.

Ask the Russians how they liked Boris Yeltsin.

You have an unhealthy obsession with that Boris Yeltsin of yours.

[GK Punk]

He already said he's giving the money to charity

[Candy Kappa]

In Sweden we've always made jokes about Norwegians being stupid

we do the same here in Norway about the swedes

[That Matt Guy]

Who is this Obama guy again?

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

It's cool, I just don't want a repeat of the last time. As long as it doesn't happen again, there's no harm done.

And that goes for everyone.

Yes, I got the idea. BTW, Canadian Turtle and other people might want to make a note of this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiram_Rhodes_Revels

That's right, there was an African-American US Senator in 1870, scant years after the end of slavery. And that's why we find the hype over Obama so ridiculous.

[PAAATE]

we do the same here in Norway about the swedes

Yeah, I know :P But you still have the funnier accent :P Though the Danish are no.1, no one can top their accent.




.. Wait, peace prize? Huhwhaa?

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

Yeah, I know :P But you still have the funnier accent :P Though the Danish are no.1, no one can top their accent.

Damn, Jim Henson should have made his Swedish Chef into a Dane instead. He could have gotten more laughs from "The Muppet Show"!


.. Wait, peace prize? Huhwhaa?

Pay no mind, we've all determined it is worth less than a Cub Scout merit badge. :lol: Obama should still have known better than to accept it though. :roll:

[GK Punk]

I gave him credit back when I heard him say he doesn't deserve it, and that he's at least giving the money to charity. I'm not sure if it would have been a slap in the face to just out right no accept it or not though. Not sure what the ettiquite there is.

[PAAATE]

I gave him credit back when I heard him say he doesn't deserve it, and that he's at least giving the money to charity.

Yeah, that's a good thing

I'm not sure if it would have been a slap in the face to just out right no accept it or not though. Not sure what the ettiquite there is.

No idea either, but...

... actually, I looked this up, and to win the Nobel peace prize you don't have to have achieved anything per se. You can still win it if you're in the process of resolving a conflict or creating peace... So I dunno, is he? Like, at all?

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

Somebody who did decline it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%AA_%C3%90%E1%BB%A9c_Th%E1%BB%8D

[Peanut]

I voted for Obama, I generally support him...

I don't know how sh*t works down there, but...is it common to vote for someone you "generally" support? That seems...not right to me.

[Leo656]

As long as the "charity" he gave the money to isn't ACORN... I'd call shenanigans on that one... :lol:

[GK Punk]

Somebody who did decline it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%AA_%C3%90%E1%BB%A9c_Th%E1%BB%8D

I just mean I think with the way people react negativley to EVERYTHING he does, if he declined it a lot of the same people attacking him for accepting it, would attack him for turning it down. Not all, but you have to admit that there is a lot of people that attack him for the sake of it.

As long as the "charity" he gave the money to isn't ACORN... I'd call shenanigans on that one... :lol:

Oh good lord seriously.

[The Stryker]

This just in, Obama saves puppy from tree. Most internet experts claiming puppy was chinese communist terrorist, Obama wanted for questioning.

[GK Punk]

If Obama said he ate bacon for breakfast, people would demand it be outlawed

[The Stryker]

I bet he killed the pigs with his bare hands!

[GK Punk]

I've seen the video!

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Wasn't Adolf Hitler speculated to win in 1938 or something because of the 1938 Munich Agreement? In 1939, he should at least win the Nobel War Prize.

[PAAATE]

Wasn't Adolf Hitler speculated to win in 1938 or something because of the 1938 Munich Agreement? In 1939, he should at least win the Nobel War Prize.

Don't know about that, but I know that he was nominated in 1939

Though, to be fair, it's enough that one person, anyone, nominates someone, then that person's a nominee, so the nominations doesn't always reflect the peace prize committees views :P

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

I just mean I think with the way people react negativley to EVERYTHING he does, if he declined it a lot of the same people attacking him for accepting it, would attack him for turning it down. Not all, but you have to admit that there is a lot of people that attack him for the sake of it.

Yes, there are people who attack Obama for anything he does. But there are people who think he can do no wrong too. But I don't buy the claim that most of his attackers would have criticized him for refusing the award. Accepting it just made him look foolish and arrogant and given his enemies a new reason to attack him. Refusing it would have cost Obama's enemies a potential reason to attack him.

[Anarky]

I'm willing to bet you'd have called him an arrogant asshole regardless of what he did.

Also, do you really think that you can convince anyone of your opinion when you repeat the same arguments ad absurdum and aren't even willing to entertain that there are other opinions around? Simmer down and then we'll talk.

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

I'm willing to bet you'd have called him an arrogant asshole regardless of what he did.

Also, do you really think that you can convince anyone of your opinion when you repeat the same arguments ad absurdum and aren't even willing to entertain that there are other opinions around? Simmer down and then we'll talk.

Who's being angry? When did I call Obama any names? All I did is say that Obama made a stupid gaffe in accepting the award, and I stand by that. Deal.

[GK Punk]

Yes, there are people who attack Obama for anything he does. But there are people who think he can do no wrong too. But I don't buy the claim that most of his attackers would have criticized him for refusing the award. Accepting it just made him look foolish and arrogant and given his enemies a new reason to attack him. Refusing it would have cost Obama's enemies a potential reason to attack him.

I agree there are people on both sides of that. That's why I'm pretty sure the ones who complain about everything would have complained no matter what he did with the award.

Although, I haven't seen anyone yet say he deserved it come to think of it. I supported the guy a lot more until the last couple of months, but even I think it's silly of him to have it.

[Ninjinister]

Nn. I don't think I've seen anybody, anywhere - 'round these parts or otherwise, that said he did deserve it. This isn't a matter of whether you support him or not, it's just the fact that he didn't really do anything that warranted it - and apparently individuals on both sides are able to see that.

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

I may not think much of Obama, but I certainly would have expected him to have the sense to decline it. If he had, he would have won some brownie points, even from his enemies, for acknowledging that he should not accept honors he never earned. Now he's got something that's going to dog him for the rest of his Presidency, and a new excuse for his enemies to ridicule him.

[Cipher]

I don't know how sh*t works down there, but...is it common to vote for someone you "generally" support? That seems...not right to me.You're right. Since I don't agree with Obama on every single issue, I should have voted for the McCain/Palin ticket, with whom I shared even less views. Or I should have voted for an obscure third party which had no chance of winning in a two-party system, effectively strengthening the afore mentioned Republican ticket. How could I have been so naive? I must have fogotten that the ballot is supposed to be an anonymous moral pulpit without considering any practical ramifications.

[Leo656]

:lol: Political debates rule. This stuff is why nobody at work talks to me.

But yeah, since everybody's a liar, a thief and a con artist, voting for someone you "generally" support based on what they *say* they stand for is really all one can do. Some of the more educated observers try and judge a person by a record of past deeds (or misdeeds), but even that isn't always an accurate way to pick sides b/c once a person gets elected to something, they usually have to pay a ton of money (and/or favors) back to the people who actually got them elected in the first place, and then they're nothing but a dog to the special interests and corporations.

So yeah, all anyone can do is pick your poison and hope they don't screw things up TOO badly once in office.

As for Obama turning down the Prize, I don't think he would've or should have to, it's just a sad joke he was even nominated in the first place. Especially since he's one of the most polarizing American figures to come along in years, at least in America itself.

[Hannah]

Everyone read this and shut the f*ck up, you whiny assholes.

http://www.politicususa.com/en/node/7223

[Leo656]

Thanks for reminding me he voted against Iraq; now I have yet another reason to dislike him...

Serioiusly though, what if you're like me and you don't believe peace can possibly exist as anything but an abstract concept? What if you believe that war is always gonna be part of the human condition, and that humanity is far too selfish and corrupt to ever possibly live in harmony? That idealists like Obama are only fooling themselves (and opening America up to a very dangerous set of circumstances in the process)? Kinda complicates things, doesn't it?

Anybody replying with some variation of "shut up/go away/your opinion is stupid" would only prove my point... It's just that not everyone seriously believes that the world's problems would go away if we'd all just hold hands and sing "Kumbaya", and it doesn't make a person stupid. Just realistic.

[PAAATE]

It's just that not everyone seriously believes that the world's problems would go away if we'd all just hold hands and sing "Kumbaya", and it doesn't make a person stupid. Just realistic.

Not realistic in my world

I believe that worldwide peace can be achieved - it wouldn't be easy and it won't happen for a while - but we can get there.

[poiuytre]

Or I should have voted for an obscure third party which had no chance of winning in a two-party system
This is kind of a whole different subject altogether, but isn't that line of thought the entire reason why other parties don't have a chance?

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

Everyone read this and shut the f*ck up, you whiny assholes.

http://www.politicususa.com/en/node/7223

I gave up about halfway through because it was so ludicrous. It's a load of pure partisan propaganda that is meant for the less intelligent members of society to take seriously. Now that Obama's President, America is popular again! Yeah, right. Why not travel around the world and find out what's really going on?

[Hannah]

Serioiusly though, what if you're like me and you don't believe peace can possibly exist as anything but an abstract concept?
That's a whole different argument. :-? We're talking about the Nobel Peace Prize and whether or not Obama deserved it, not if peace could exist.

I gave up about halfway through because it was so ludicrous. It's a load of pure partisan propaganda that is meant for the less intelligent members of society to take seriously. Now that Obama's President, America is popular again! Yeah, right. Why not travel around the world and find out what's really going on?
Although this has already been established, just because someone disagrees with you, it doesn't make them less intelligent. You are absolutely ridiculous.

[XERO]

Not realistic in my world

I believe that worldwide peace can be achieved - it wouldn't be easy and it won't happen for a while - but we can get there.

Reason why the planet hasn't blown up yet... people get sleepy.

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

Although this has already been established, just because someone disagrees with you, it doesn't make them less intelligent. You are absolutely ridiculous.

I quote from the article:

"I still have the Election Nightmare, wherein McCain Palin won. And there’s nowhere to go in the entire world to get away from the impact of their erratic, reckless temperaments. It’s terrifying. In the daylight, I comfort myself with the reality that Palin won’t be riding a purple dinosaur -- with Jesus strapped to her back -- into the White House any time soon. But we did elect W, and so it can happen again. Vigilance is required."

I can respect an intelligently-written opinion I disagree with. Intelligent writers, however, don't write like this.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Don't know about that, but I know that he was nominated in 1939

Though, to be fair, it's enough that one person, anyone, nominates someone, then that person's a nominee, so the nominations doesn't always reflect the peace prize committees views :P

That's probably what I talked about, just the wrong year.

[Mecha Cow]

I can respect an intelligently-written opinion I disagree with. Intelligent writers, however, don't write like this.
Glass house.

[Katie]

so....just because i'm curious....Obviously Obama wasn't nominated for anything that he's done in particular. (he'd only been in office for 12 days when nominations for the thing were closed)

For everyone who thinks he was pretentious for accepting the award.....how would you feel if, say, John McCain had been nominated and won? Would you still think it was silly that they chose him?

Personally, I find it really interesting that he was nominated and chosen. I think it would have been an insult to refuse it, and I think it was good of him to say he didn't deserve it. That being said, The nobel committee is in charge of that award and they can give it to whomever they see fit. Why is this even political at all? It's not like the general public anywhere had any say in what that committee did. Why make a huge deal out of it? Isn't it nice that one of our fellow countrymen was honored? I 100% guarantee that if McCain or Palin or any other American won it I'd still feel proud.

It is fascinating to realize how much one single individual garners so much negativity from so many.

I wore an Obama tee shirt to a football game last night. I was just sitting there, watching the game, never said anything bad to anyone, never said anythign political at all. Still I had bottles thrown at me, beer poured on me, and someone called me an ignorant bitch. All I was doing was watching a game. With a tee shirt on.

[Hannah]

I can respect an intelligently-written opinion I disagree with. Intelligent writers, however, don't write like this.
The raven chides blackness.

[Cipher]

This is kind of a whole different subject altogether, but isn't that line of thought the entire reason why other parties don't have a chance?Oh, definitely. It's a real Catch 22. I'd love to be able to vote for a party that accurately represents my beliefs in good conscience. But the fact is that unless everyone adopts that manner of thinking (not going to happen), it's better to just vote for the most suitable major party.

And I'm not sure that a multi-party system is the way to go, for that matter. If everyone voted for a million different parties, you could end up with the group in power having taken, say, only 15% of the total vote just because the options were so varied. So while 15% of the nation would have their beliefs completely represented, the other 85% would be SOL. And it's not like the two-party (or three or four-party in some countries) system exists just because centuries ago someone said "There shall be only be so many parties." It's a natural evolution. Say there were hundreds of viable parties. Inevitably people on the same side of the political spectrum are going to catch on and say, "Hey, you know, so-and-so party is fairly agreeable. Let's have all the lieberals compromise and throw their support by it so we at least have a chance."

There's really no practical way to implement a perfect democratic system. Oh well. It doesn't keep me up at night.

Personally, I find it really interesting that he was nominated and chosen. I think it would have been an insult to refuse it, and I think it was good of him to say he didn't deserve it. That being said, The nobel committee is in charge of that award and they can give it to whomever they see fit. Why is this even political at all? It's not like the general public anywhere had any say in what that committee did. Why make a huge deal out of it? Isn't it nice that one of our fellow countrymen was honored? I 100% guarantee that if McCain or Palin or any other American won it I'd still feel proud.But it's not supposed to recognize a country. It's not an Olympic Medal. It's a specific award given to a specific individual for their specific actions towards maintaining peace. When people have to ask of the winner, "Well, what exactly did they do?", it seems a little fishy.

But the major mistake people make is in thinking that the award means anything at all. It's always been one of the bunkier Nobel prizes. Take a look at some of the past winners.

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

For everyone who thinks he was pretentious for accepting the award.....how would you feel if, say, John McCain had been nominated and won? Would you still think it was silly that they chose him?

Yes.

It is fascinating to realize how much one single individual garners so much negativity from so many.

George W. Bush can relate.

I wore an Obama tee shirt to a football game last night. I was just sitting there, watching the game, never said anything bad to anyone, never said anythign political at all. Still I had bottles thrown at me, beer poured on me, and someone called me an ignorant bitch. All I was doing was watching a game. With a tee shirt on.

I agree it's reprehensible behavior. Unfortunately I recently read of an even worse case, where a man talked about how when he was a boy in New York City, his father, as a joke, dressed him up in the uniform of one major NYC baseball team and had him walk into a neighborhood whose inhabitants were all fans of the rival major NYC baseball team. Neighborhood boys then attacked him and attempted to lynch him (yes, you read that right), but fortunately his grandmother caught them and intervened, preventing a potential tragedy.

[SwordofTengu]

I don't care if he inspires hope! He needs to do more peaceful actions before he can get the prize, IMHO.

[Lynn]

He may be a good human being, but as of yet, he's still undeserving of the award.