Did Obama Snub the Nobel Prize Committee?

[Grey Fox]

I'm sorry did Norway think they mattered?

[Caliga]

I'm sorry did Norway think they mattered?

I think it's funny that it's a big deal he skipped out on a lunch with the King.  Does Norway's King have any actual political power (not a rhetorical question... I really don't know for sure)? Assuming 'no', then materially how is he different from any other rich dude?  Shouldn't Obama be spending his time trying to, you know, get shit done?  I don't think he has time to waste having tea and cupcakes with random rich people, especially if they're foreign random rich people who probably can't bribe Congressmen to do what Obama wants them to do.

[Sheilbh]

European Monarchs don't have power but they are Heads of State.  So it's a way of paying respect to the nation.

[Caliga]

European Monarchs don't have power but they are Heads of State.  So it's a way of paying respect to the nation.

I understand that, but the guy (Obama) is really busy.  If snubbing the King of Norway would result in Norway ending oil or sardine exports, or perhaps withdrawing from NATO, then that's one thing.  But we all know that isn't going to happen.

[Sheilbh]

I understand that, but the guy (Obama) is really busy.  If snubbing the King of Norway would result in Norway ending oil or sardine exports, or perhaps withdrawing from NATO, then that's one thing.  But we all know that isn't going to happen.

You're not polite to someone to stop them from hitting you, if you don't say 'thank you'.  You're polite because politeness and courtesy are the right way to behave.

A lunch wouldn't have taken up much time and would have been courteous and indicate a bit of respect.

[Caliga]

I'm sure he had some valid reason or another for not attending.

I can't believe I'm actually defending Obama. 

[Valmy]

European Monarchs don't have power but they are Heads of State.  So it's a way of paying respect to the nation.

I understand that, but the guy (Obama) is really busy.  If snubbing the King of Norway would result in Norway ending oil or sardine exports, or perhaps withdrawing from NATO, then that's one thing.  But we all know that isn't going to happen.

Well in practical terms the Norwegians have the usual six options:
One: do nothing.
Two: issue a statement deploring Obama's snub.
Three: lodge an official protest.
Four: cut off aid.
Five: break off diplomatic relations.
And six: declare war.

Unfortunately
If they do nothing, they implicitly agree with the snub.
If they issue a statement, they'll just look foolish.
If they lodge a protest, it'll be ignored.
they can't cut off aid, because they don't give us any.
If they break off diplomatic relations, they can't sell us oil.
And if they declare war, it might just look as though they were over-reacting.

Don't think Obama has not done the calculus here.

[Admiral Yi]

You're not polite to someone to stop them from hitting you, if you don't say 'thank you'.  You're polite because politeness and courtesy are the right way to behave.

A lunch wouldn't have taken up much time and would have been courteous and indicate a bit of respect.

Lunch would have been nice.  Maybe a quick trip to the drive through window at Sardine-in-the-Box if he was really that pressed for time.

Can't fault the dude for skipping the children's stuff and the concert. 

[Malthus]

European Monarchs don't have power but they are Heads of State.  So it's a way of paying respect to the nation.

I understand that, but the guy (Obama) is really busy.  If snubbing the King of Norway would result in Norway ending oil or sardine exports, or perhaps withdrawing from NATO, then that's one thing.  But we all know that isn't going to happen.

Well in practical terms the Norwegians have the usual six options:
One: do nothing.
Two: issue a statement deploring Obama's snub.
Three: lodge an official protest.
Four: cut off aid.
Five: break off diplomatic relations.
And six: declare war.

Unfortunately
If they do nothing, they implicitly agree with the snub.
If they issue a statement, they'll just look foolish.
If they lodge a protest, it'll be ignored.
they can't cut off aid, because they don't give us any.
If they break off diplomatic relations, they can't sell us oil.
And if they declare war, it might just look as though they were over-reacting.

Don't think Obama has not done the calculus here.

This documentary explains the relevant dynamics:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053084/

[Viking]

European Monarchs don't have power but they are Heads of State.  So it's a way of paying respect to the nation.

I understand that, but the guy (Obama) is really busy.  If snubbing the King of Norway would result in Norway ending oil or sardine exports, or perhaps withdrawing from NATO, then that's one thing.  But we all know that isn't going to happen.

Pulling out of Afghanistan

Unlikely to happen, but it doesn't help. The junior party in the government (socialist left) want's out of Afghanistan and NATO.

[Viking]

European Monarchs don't have power but they are Heads of State.  So it's a way of paying respect to the nation.

It helps Euro nations avoid the problems with Bush. You can slander and abuse Norwegian PM Stoltenberg but you go and make nice with the king and nobody will confuse your hate of Stoltenberg's policies with hatred of Norway.

[Viking]

Four: cut off aid.

Unfortunately
they can't cut off aid, because they don't give us any.

Norway has 700 men in Afghanistan. They can be recalled.

[Admiral Yi]

So what's the word on the Norwegian street Viking?

[Viking]

So what's the word on the Norwegian street Viking?

Obama

so, norway is not going to do anything about it.... right now there is a torchlight demonstration in front of the parliament by the campaign for unilateral nuclear disarmament along with other groups (including iranian exile groups) protesting FOR the US President.

[derspiess]

I think it's funny that it's a big deal he skipped out on a lunch with the King. 

Fits nicely into my theory that Obama will gladly bow to non-white monarchs/heads of state, but disrespects European ones.  As always, I blame the skirts (in this case, Michelle)