Booby Prize
9 October 2009The short-term result of the Nobel Committee giving the Peace Prize to President Obama will probably be to increase his political capital in some amount (in a context where polls shows his domestic approval trending downward and at or below 50%). In the long-run, this award will prove damaging to popular American perceptions both of Europe and of the Democratic Party.
American perceptions of Europe will suffer, because the only distinctive objectives had by President Obama which enjoy majority support are objectives at which he will not succeed. And American perceptions of the Democratic Party will suffer because it will be seen not simply as seeking the wrong things but as doing so in alliance with alien forces.
Tags: Barack Obama, Nobel Prizes, Obama
I have it on good authority, from an actual booby, that they would not give President Obama a Nobel prize. My source did mention a certain Portuguese gentleman who perfected an easy open sardine tin.
Seeing as how he was in office for less than two weeks when the voting was completed, I have reached the conclusion that they awarded Obama the Nobel Peace Prize based on expectations and perceived future results.
I have, therefore, purchased my airline tickets early, for when I win the Nobel Prize for Literature next year based on the exact same criteria. I am still debating whether or not I actually need to publish a novel first...
I know at least one other writer who has made the same case on her own behalf.
However, the Committee has made it plain that one criterion to win the Prize in Literature is to be not an American.
I noticed. Perhaps I should immigrate to France...