Obama Lands in Norway to Accept Peace Prize

[Hissyspit]

Source: AFP

Obama lands in Norway to accept peace prize

by Rita Devlin Marier – 2 hrs 51 mins ago
OSLO (AFP) – US President Barack Obama landed in Norway on Thursday to accept his Nobel Peace Prize, amid controversy over his role as a "war president" and widespread doubts about whether he deserves the honor.

Obama touched down after an overnight flight from Washington on Air Force One, ahead of a day of ceremonies marking the surprise decision by the Nobel committee to honor the first-year president.

Norway was rolling out its biggest ever security operation to protect Obama, who aides said would address the apparent paradox in being honored as a man of peace days after ordering 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan.

- snip -

Events related to the formal Nobel Peace Prize ceremony normally run over three days, but the president has shortened his visit and excluded the traditional lunch with the king and a Friday night concert in his honour. There will also be no day-before press conference or lengthy CNN sit-down interview laureates usually grant -- enabling him to avoid potentially embarrassing questions.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091210/pl_afp/nobelpeaceobama_20091210073953

---

From AP:

Obama says others more worthy of Nobel Peace Prize
3 mins ago
OSLO, Norway – President Barack Obama, in Norway to pick up his Nobel Peace Prize, says he doesn't doubt there are others who may be more deserving of the honor.

Addressing criticism that the award was premature, the president said Thursday that he wants to continue working on issues that are important for America and for building lasting peace and security in the world, such as halting the spread of nuclear weapons, addressing climate change and stabilizing Afghanistan.

Obama said his goal is not to win a popularity contest or get an award, even one as esteemed as the Nobel Peace Prize.

- snip -

Peace activists plan a 5,000-person anti-war protest. Protesters have plastered posters around Oslo featuring the image of Obama from his iconic campaign poster, altered with skepticism to say, "Change?"

[Lerkfish]

1. does this coincide with his afghanistan surge?

For once, I may have to agree this award proved premature.

[AndyA]

2. Peace Prize?

- 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan to fight a war

- Covering up the crimes of Bushco, which include torture (a war crime)

I guess I'm missing the "peace" part, unless they're talking about the peace that comes to someone once they're dead and no longer feel the pain of that missing limb from the bomb that went off in the market, or the pain of torture. :shrug:

[ixion]

3. yeah, I don't get it either

seems a bit caddy-whompus to me. I don't understand how a 'war' president gets a peace prize.

It makes no sense.

[Bragi]

4. This looked like a good idea six months ago

I suspect that if the White House and Nobel Committee had it to do over, they would not have gone down this road.

If Obama had put Afghanistan onto a real path to peace, one that had broad domestic and international support, it would be different.

But as it is now, with Obama escalating the war, this award has become an embarrassment to both Obama and to the Nobel Committee.

[Lerkfish]

5. I think the committee needs to award for actual accomplishments instead of

promises.