And the Peace Nobel Prize for 2009 goes to...

[garbon]

Wouldn't Obama have to do something first?

He picked Hil for Sec of State, ensuring media coverage for at least a few years.

[Razgovory]

And what exactly has the GOP done in the face of the Russian menace recently?

Razz, if you don't see any difference between the Bush & Obama Administrations & their respective approaches to Russia, I'm not going to bother arguing with you over it.

Btw, do you disagree with *anything* Obama does?

In their respective first years as president?  No.  There has been no substantial difference.  Obama has saved some money by scrapping a missile defense system that didn't work and has made some progress in getting Russia to agree to American demands regarding Iran but that kind of stuff does go around and around.

Of course I disagree with Obama on things. 

[The Minsky Moment]

Razz, if you don't see any difference between the Bush & Obama Administrations & their respective approaches to Russia, I'm not going to bother arguing with you over it.

I agree, Obama has yet to base policy on his personal perception of a foreign leader's "soul".

[Viking]

It has certainly been a joke for a while.  When was the last kickass Peace Prize?  Begin-Sadat?

The Late '90s was good

'95 Pugwash/Joseph Rotblatt
'96 Bishop Belo/Jose Ramos Horta
'97 International Campaign to Ban Landmines
'98 John Hume/David Trimble (my brain keeps tying to type David Hume)
'99 Doctors Without Borders
'00 Kim Dae Jung (Sunshine Policy)

The Prize goes downhill with the Expanded Peace Concept where the Norwegian Nobel Committee move beyond Nobel's definition to include work for Human Rights, The Environment and Culture in the concept of Peace. I think the downhill slide starts with Rigoberta Menchu, who got it for fighting for the rights of Guatemalan Indians, and finally jumps the shark with Wangari Mathaai. Both are quite obviously righteous and just people, but one has to question their Nobel Peace Prize Worthiness. 

[Admiral Yi]

And what exactly has the GOP done in the face of the Russian menace recently?

Airlifted Georgian troops back from Iraq on US planes.  Shipped "humanitarian supplies" to Georgian ports on US navy ships.  Called for the ouster of Russia from the G8+1.  Proclaimed "we are all Georgians now."

[Razgovory]

And what exactly has the GOP done in the face of the Russian menace recently?

Airlifted Georgian troops back from Iraq on US planes.  Shipped "humanitarian supplies" to Georgian ports on US navy ships.  Called for the ouster of Russia from the G8+1.  Proclaimed "we are all Georgians now."

Wow.  I suppose all that's left is to issue a sternly worded letter.

[Martinus]

Anyway, that prize means there's one thing less for Obama to do before he can get rid of DADT. 

[Martinus]

It has certainly been a joke for a while.  When was the last kickass Peace Prize?  Begin-Sadat?

The Late '90s was good

'95 Pugwash/Joseph Rotblatt
'96 Bishop Belo/Jose Ramos Horta
'97 International Campaign to Ban Landmines
'98 John Hume/David Trimble (my brain keeps tying to type David Hume)
'99 Doctors Without Borders
'00 Kim Dae Jung (Sunshine Policy)

The Prize goes downhill with the Expanded Peace Concept where the Norwegian Nobel Committee move beyond Nobel's definition to include work for Human Rights, The Environment and Culture in the concept of Peace. I think the downhill slide starts with Rigoberta Menchu, who got it for fighting for the rights of Guatemalan Indians, and finally jumps the shark with Wangari Mathaai. Both are quite obviously righteous and just people, but one has to question their Nobel Peace Prize Worthiness.

I disagree with you about Human Rights - the other categories (environment and culture) sure, do not fit that well into a "peace prize".

[Martinus]

and one part to the person who 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.

Well if you just take this definition (without the subsequent modifications) then I'd say that Obama has done more in this respect than Lech Walesa, Nelson Mandela or Medicines Sans Frontieres. 

Essentially this is an award for the best achievement ("have done the most") or the best effort ("the best work") in pro-peace, anti-militaristic diplomacy. He has been definitely making an effort in that area over the last year.

[Sahib]

And what exactly has the GOP done in the face of the Russian menace recently?

Bush looked into the Putin's eyes and found him straightforward and trustworthy

[Sheilbh]

Bizarre.  Though more credible than awarding it to 'Esperanto'

[CountDeMoney]

'97 International Campaign to Ban Landmines

Useless.

[Berkut]

It should go to Blount next year for showing up to class after not being kicked of the Oregon football team.

[CountDeMoney]

It should go to Blount next year for showing up to class after not being kicked of the Oregon football team.

And people say I drive shit into the ground.

[Scipio]

And what exactly has the GOP done in the face of the Russian menace recently?

Nothing, unfortunately.  But your disputation is weak-sauced in the extreme.  If Bush jumped off the brookly bridge, should Obama do it to?

Spaz.