Did Obama Snub the Nobel Prize Committee?

[Martinus]

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.

Well played. 

[Faeelin]

Cal, here's one of the reasons Norwegians are angry:

King Harald LIVED in the White House during WW II when he was a kid as guests of his god father - FDR.

I'm all for ignoring royalty, but King Harald is a somewhat different case. He still speaks English with a pronounced Tidewater accent, and calls people 'hon'. He crawled out of his sick bed to accompany his father to President Kennedy's funeral. Like his father before him, he has never invited a Republican President to the royal palace because they hate Republicans.

It's a minor diplomatic gaffe, but it's one in a string of gaffes from this man's presidency.

[Martinus]

Maybe Obama met with the Japanese Emperor to make up for the fact that FDR didn't let his family live in the White House too?

[Martinus]

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.

How is meeting the Norwegian King different from meeting the Japanese Emperor. Both are old rich dudes with no political power, but who are immensely respected by their own people.

[Razgovory]

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.

How is meeting the Norwegian King different from meeting the Japanese Emperor. Both are old rich dudes with no political power, but who are immensely respected by their own people.

Norway is colder.

[Viking]

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

Probably a variant on " Meg God! Denne øl er latterlig dyr!", it usually is 

It's like Cato's Cartago Delenda Est. It is said before and after any other statement.

[Josquius]

King Harald LIVED in the White House during WW II when he was a kid as guests of his god father - FDR.

I'm all for ignoring royalty, but King Harald is a somewhat different case. He still speaks English with a pronounced Tidewater accent, and calls people 'hon'. He crawled out of his sick bed to accompany his father to President Kennedy's funeral. Like his father before him, he has never invited a Republican President to the royal palace because they hate Republicans.

Wow, that is one awesome king. Can we have him?

:lo:  Straight to the ad hominim fallacy without even passing go! 

Obama's treatment of the Norwegian king is surely all about my issues!  :rolyes:

Wow, at first I thought you were just witch hunting but now it seems you really are dense enough to believe what you wrote. I just don't know what to say. Blimey.

[grumbler]

Wow, at first I thought you were just witch hunting but now it seems you really are dense enough to believe what you wrote.

Having gone straight to the ad hominim, why back off?  Pile on some more and add a personal insult!  At least your arguments are consistent. 

I enjoy seeing people like you engage in them because it merely proves that you have no rational  response to my argument, else you would be using it.  So, please, pour on the insults and ad homs, because I enjoy seeing you make them almost as much as you enjoy making them. 

I just don't know what to say. Blimey.

Sure you know what to say!  Make another ad hom argument (or even just a personal insult)!

[Josquius]

I enjoy eeing people like you engage in them because it merely proves that you have no rational  response to my argument, else you would be using it.  So, please, pour on the insults and ad homs, because I enjoy seeing you ae them almost as much as you enjoy making them.  :huSure you know what to say!  Make another ad hom argument (or even just a personal insult)!

Are you trolling here or what?
I'm just confused.
I've already rationally responded to and refuted  your silly argument.

[Neil]

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.

I think Norway should unilaterally disarms its nuclear weapons.

[HisMajestyBOB]

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)

Is Obama racist against the white man?

After years of looking down to the black man, whitey is now getting a taste of his own medicine.

[jimmy olsen]

Check your facebook Bob.

[Caliga]

How is meeting the Norwegian King different from meeting the Japanese Emperor. Both are old rich dudes with no political power, but who are immensely respected by their own people.

CLEARLY it's more important that he meet random fake rich people who crash White House parties than the King of Norway. 

[Scipio]

If he ain't Haakon, he's fakin'.

[grumbler]

Are you trolling here or what?
I'm just confused.
I've already rationally responded to and refuted  your silly argument.

Ah, that's absolutely outstanding! 

You add to the ad homs and personal insults a pre-emptive declaration of victory!