Congratulations, Mr. President.
Well, that was a surprise!
"The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 is to be awarded to President Barack Obama for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples. The Committee has attached special importance to Obama's vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.
"Obama has as President created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play. Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts. The vision of a world free from nuclear arms has powerfully stimulated disarmament and arms control negotiations. Thanks to Obama's initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting. Democracy and human rights are to be strengthened.
"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. 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.
"For 108 years, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has sought to stimulate precisely that international policy and those attitudes for which Obama is now the world's leading spokesman. The Committee endorses Obama's appeal that 'Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges.'"
The right wing fucktards ideologues over at The Corner at National Review have posted a dozen times already to mock, devalue and all-around object, but they can kiss my ass. I haven't switched over to Fox, but perhaps it would have been amusing to watch Steve Doocey's head explode.
And from the AP, for the skeptical:
• Myth: The prize is awarded to recognize efforts for peace, human rights and democracy only after they have proven successful.
• Fact: More often, the prize is awarded to encourage those who receive it to see the effort through, sometimes at critical moments.
I was up to watch LCROSS crash into the moon, but was rather disappointed by the lack of live video of the impact. I'll check back later for a "replay".
Have also been reading a lot in the past week. I read Janet Evanovich's latest (15) last week, the His Dark Materials trilogy last weekend, which I very much enjoyed (and lyras - now I get your LJ name! LOL) and I'm currently on page 352 (of 800 something) of Diana Gabaldon's An Echo in the Bone, which I'm loving. (Lord John, how do I love thee?! ♥) I know I've been a bit scarce, but I'm still lurking about. :)
So, how is everyone this fine morning?
"The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 is to be awarded to President Barack Obama for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples. The Committee has attached special importance to Obama's vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.
"Obama has as President created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play. Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts. The vision of a world free from nuclear arms has powerfully stimulated disarmament and arms control negotiations. Thanks to Obama's initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting. Democracy and human rights are to be strengthened.
"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. 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.
"For 108 years, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has sought to stimulate precisely that international policy and those attitudes for which Obama is now the world's leading spokesman. The Committee endorses Obama's appeal that 'Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges.'"
The right wing fucktards ideologues over at The Corner at National Review have posted a dozen times already to mock, devalue and all-around object, but they can kiss my ass. I haven't switched over to Fox, but perhaps it would have been amusing to watch Steve Doocey's head explode.
And from the AP, for the skeptical:
• Myth: The prize is awarded to recognize efforts for peace, human rights and democracy only after they have proven successful.
• Fact: More often, the prize is awarded to encourage those who receive it to see the effort through, sometimes at critical moments.
I was up to watch LCROSS crash into the moon, but was rather disappointed by the lack of live video of the impact. I'll check back later for a "replay".
Have also been reading a lot in the past week. I read Janet Evanovich's latest (15) last week, the His Dark Materials trilogy last weekend, which I very much enjoyed (and lyras - now I get your LJ name! LOL) and I'm currently on page 352 (of 800 something) of Diana Gabaldon's An Echo in the Bone, which I'm loving. (Lord John, how do I love thee?! ♥) I know I've been a bit scarce, but I'm still lurking about. :)
So, how is everyone this fine morning?