MaccBruce
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Re: NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
It is quite clear Obama won the award for his commitment to diplomacy, something America seemed to have given up on.
"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. "
Bush seemed to take the view that as the world's own super power, you can pretty much do anything you want to protect your interests. Fair point, but it comes at a price. That price is that is becomes easier for Rogue States and radicals to demonise America. Tough rhetoric plays well internally at home, but it also plays into the hands of the extremists. Obama has promised large cuts in the US nuclear arsenal, eased tensions with Russia, offered dialogue with Iran, promised to restart the Middle East process. The US following the path of diplomacy must be every terrorists worst nightmare. What has happened in Iran may be coincidental, but having less of a common enemy to unit against weakens the rule of the dictators.
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13/Oct/09, 9:14 pm
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kittykat1
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Re: NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
quote: MaccBruce wrote:
Obama has promised large cuts in the US nuclear arsenal, eased tensions with Russia, offered dialogue with Iran, promised to restart the Middle East process. The US following the path of diplomacy must be every terrorists worst nightmare.
It is just a bit scary to me Ian. I just hope we don't let our guard down too much and become sitting ducks for future attack/s. I don't truly believe we would ever let our guard down to the point of being attacked out of nowhere again, but I can't help but be reminded of the old saying.."keep your friends close, but your enemies closer."
I find it hard to swallow that we want to open up dialogue with Iran after the past election in Iran and how many Iranian's were so upset over that.
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14/Oct/09, 12:52 am
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MaccBruce
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Re: NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
think the best way to keep enemies close is to engage in dialogue. I'm not talking appeasement here, I mean tough negotiations with punitive sanctions as a last resort. When the US goes it alone (OK, with Britain) as the world's law enforcement agency, it absolves other countries from getting involved. What is needed is countries like Russia and China to step up to the plate as G20 members and take responsibility too.
Obama was smart not to openly support the opposition after the Iran elections, as it would have just given credence to the regime's claims that the protests were stirred up by the US. As it was, these claims just seemed ridiculous.
There will always be extremists who hate the West and particularly the US, irrespective of its policies and benevolence. And there will be further atrocities, as it is impossible to intercept every attempt. But I do feel that if the US follows a path of diplomacy, these extremist factions will be less tolerated in their countries of origin, and they will find it increasingly hard to get funding and find disillusioned raw recruits. This will have a far bigger impact on making the US a safer place than any security steps taken internally.
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14/Oct/09, 9:47 am
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Kid Zero
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Re: NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
--- I'm ridin' on the power and livin' on the promise in your last kiss
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14/Oct/09, 11:38 am
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Kid Zero
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Re: NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
2010
The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised Liu for his "long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China. The ... Committee has long believed that there is a close connection between human rights and peace."
The prize puts China's human rights in the spotlight at a time Beijing has sought to play a bigger role on the global stage.
Liu was jailed for 11 years from last December for subversion of state power, a year after his detention as lead author of Charter 08, a manifesto issued by Chinese intellectuals and activists calling for free speech and multi-party elections.
The former literature professor rose to prominence as a strike leader during protests on Tiananmen Square in 1989.
He was later jailed for 20 months and then spent three years in a "labour re-education" camp during the 1990s, as well as months under virtual house arrest.
Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Fu Ying warned the head of the Nobel Institute against granting the prize to Liu during a visit to Oslo this summer, saying it would damage ties between China and Norway as they negotiate a bilateral trade deal.
Beijing also strongly criticised Oslo after the 1989 prize went to Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said last month that Liu's actions were "diametrically opposed to the aims of the Nobel prize."
Norway says the Nobel committee, picked by parliament and comprised of former politicians, is fully independent.
The prize worth 10 million Swedish crowns (944,000 pounds) will be awarded in Oslo on December 10. It was not immediately known who would collect the prize if Liu could not do so.
--- I'm ridin' on the power and livin' on the promise in your last kiss
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8/Oct/10, 12:01 pm
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Jukebox Grad
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Re: NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
Excellent job, Norway!
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9/Oct/10, 3:49 am
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