Obama Defends War While Accepting Prize for Peace
EmailPresident Obama acknowledged that unlike past recipients of this most prestigious prize, his work still lay ahead. He spoke of the meaning of an award, “that speaks to our highest aspirations – that for all the cruelty and hardship of our world, we are not mere prisoners of fate. Our actions matter, and can bend history in the direction of justice.” But he also took on the inescapable contradiction — receiving the Nobel Peace Prize just days after escalating the nation’s military commitment in Afghanistan. “I face the world as it is, and cannot stand idle in the face of threats to the American people. For make no mistake: evil does exist in the world. A non-violent movement could not have halted Hitler's armies. Negotiations cannot convince al Qaeda's leaders to lay down their arms. To say that force is sometimes necessary is not a call to cynicism – it is a recognition of history; the imperfections of man and the limits of reason.” He went on: “Where force is necessary, we have a moral and strategic interest in binding ourselves to certain rules of conduct. And even as we confront a vicious adversary that abides by no rules, I believe that the United States of America must remain a standard bearer in the conduct of war. That is what makes us different from those whom we fight. That is a source of our strength. That is why I prohibited torture. That is why I ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed. And that is why I have reaffirmed America's commitment to abide by the Geneva Conventions. We lose ourselves when we compromise the very ideals that we fight to defend. And we honor those ideals by upholding them not just when it is easy, but when it is hard.”
RSS
Twitter
Facebook
“Evil does exist in this world.” – President Obama
Where did I hear that before? Oh, yes, it was Pres. Bush.
So, evil DOES exist!
Both Presidents believed and stated that there is evil in this world.
Both are “war” Presidents. We were attacked in 200l, and it continues, even though Obama promised in his campaign that the war would end. That’s what people heard and was led to believe.
What changed? I suppose reality came calling.
Getting down to brass tacks, Obama got the award for continuing the war and making peace with the GITMO people.
I’m not saying to mistreat the GITMO people. I’m just saying there should be more to the story in order to get a Nobel.
Posted by: ddg | December 10, 2009, 11:49 am 11:49 am
Obama got PEACE prize for starting a war in Aflganistan (check the spelling for me). We are living in a world full of contradictions!
Posted by: AL | December 10, 2009, 3:47 pm 3:47 pm
Well,give him time……[??], Obama not finished with is presidency yet!………..
Posted by: LH | December 10, 2009, 4:51 pm 4:51 pm
Well,… it kind of bothers me that some deserving soul was passed up so Obama could get more pats on the back.
Then again all he had to do was step back, put on a new face, and smile wide…
(further remarks withheld)
Posted by: M. L. H | December 10, 2009, 5:26 pm 5:26 pm
Who cares about Republican congenital liars and slanderers. The GOP and its supporters just can not stand the attention Obama is getting worldwide. Obama is liked around the world and Bush is hated around the world. All this lying chatter from the right is a vain attempt to counter this “imbalance”. The Republican mantra: Fabricate and attack. Good luck with that….the world is watching.
Posted by: Sentinel | December 10, 2009, 8:47 pm 8:47 pm
It is the contrast between the Obama administration and the last administration that is key here. Giving Obama the Peace Prize suggests just how much fear and contempt the world had – and still has – for the Bush-Cheney administration and Republican behavior in general. It’s the two extremes between Republican behavior and the current Democratic administration that makes Obama stand out. “Fear” and “Relief”: “Fear” of Republican mismanagement, incompetence and corruption – and dangerous “Cowboy Politics”. “Relief” that the United States now has a president who “thinks” and “analyzes” and “respects” the views of our allies and others. In other words, the things that were completely absent in the last administration. But of course, “Fear” was plentiful while the last administration was in power – the world was wondering what the Republican maniacs were going to do next. At one point, Bush was considering attacking Iran.
Posted by: Sentinel | December 10, 2009, 9:01 pm 9:01 pm
I am very pleased to have seen the President accepting the Noble Peace Prize today, it is truly a great honor. However, I have yet to see a concerted effort, in launching a peace initiative, something major? Like the establishment of a Palestinian state, peace and stability in East Africa? Engagement in a dialogue with Iran, over their ambitions with pursuing and further developing nuclear-technology? Reconciliation and nation-building in Afghanistan? That’s because, since day-one, he has felt this compelling need to accommodate the other side, meaning the John McCain’s, Lindsay Graham’s, Sarah Palin’s and Neoconservatives.Its political and its all about strategy, they are grooming him for a second term, problem is….”I don’t think we have implemented the right strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan I might add…” Where is the reconciliation process? Should he be on the same pedestal with Dr. Martin Luther King?
I respect our President, he is a class-act and an eloquent speaker and I realize that the position of Commander in Chief has it’s responsibilities, but now, in the interest of global Peace and stability, it’s show time….Mr. President!
Posted by: Joseph | December 11, 2009, 12:15 am 12:15 am
A really magnificent speech. Worthy of JFK or MLK. Very significant statement of the core principles that guide Obama. It’s the recognition of the imperfection of the world and thus the need for pragmatic action rooted in the unfortunate realities. But at the same time, still remaining deeply connected to our idealism and our noblest values. And yes America is still a work in progress, but never forget that America has always done the heavy lifting when it came to saving and protecting the free world. No country in human history has sacrificed more heroes in the cause of peace and freedom.
Posted by: hopesprings52 | December 11, 2009, 12:21 am 12:21 am
Beautiful speach! Ladies and Gentlemen, No president can do anything without support of the majority. A president can only inspire change and rally the majority. He can’t make anyone do anything they don’t want too. As a nation we should strive to be the best. Big box thinking is necessary to make CHANGE! Change isn’t easy. Most successful leaders will tell you this. You first have to get the right people on the bus before heading to your destination. Sometimes you find out later you have a few wrong people and you have to stop the bus to let them off. Obama is doing a good job whether you believe that or not, but hey perception is reality at so many levels. Change does not come over night, but if we stay steadfast on our goals, we will eventually get there. President Obama can’t do it by himself. The whole world is in crisis. Unemployment isn’t his fault, confidence in spending isn’t his fault, Would you rather him not do anything? for those of you that think you could have done better, why didn’t you run for office, because it would have also been you that would have been also ridiculed. Make a difference people and for once stand together on something. (Wishful thinking I know) This nation did not become what it is today over night, this nation is still new. Remember the birth of it, what we endured, even to ourselves we had terrorist ways among the rightous. Why couldn’t a black person drink out of a fountain where whites were? How could we have taken land from the indians that owned it? All because of the color of a person’s skin. Change will not be overnight. The great depression took time. We endured, we endured. Prayer was more evident then and has been lessened now. But no one wants to be reminded of where we came from nor where our dreams inspire us to go. Embrace diversity because it makes us stronger. God Bless you all!
Posted by: Deval769 | December 11, 2009, 12:24 am 12:24 am
The Nobel awards have lost all honor and prestige that they once had.
Posted by: Lloyd Revalee | December 11, 2009, 10:27 am 10:27 am
In discarding the monkey and substituting man,
our Father in Heaven did the monkey an undeserved injustice.
- — Mark Twain — -
Posted by: Pamella Atkinson | December 13, 2009, 10:43 am 10:43 am
…..Obama is liked around the world and Bush is hated around the world. All this lying chatter from the right is a vain attempt to counter this “imbalance”…..
Yes, the controlled media does promote who it wants and degrade who it wants. Personally, I think Bush was a ‘slow globalist’ and Obama is a ‘fast globalist’. Both were charged to integrate the USA into the New World Order. Bush slowly worked on it and Obama tried to do it over night. Both faithful partners to global interests – not the USA. At least Bush did not triple the national debt in months rather than years. —- Do you really think that the government is going to get the money back, other than taxing Americans.
By the way, the Peace Prize, unlike most who were deserving, was handed to Arafat, Gorbachev (forced to tear down the Iron Curtain by Bush who cut off the money flow from the USA to Russia), and aome other ‘unworthy’ recipients. People failed to get Castro on the list. What a joke! Obama fights a war and gets the peace prize????? Read the book, “A War Called Peace” – about Communism, look at the Government today and compare.
Posted by: Dale | December 16, 2009, 6:55 pm 6:55 pm
So much for the Nobel “PEACE” prize. Of course words have no more true meaning. Like, “I’m bad” (baad) means “I’m good”.
Posted by: D | December 16, 2009, 6:58 pm 6:58 pm