tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30216641.post7542898556151370466..comments2023-05-13T09:44:09.456-04:00Comments on Adiaphora - a prologue to things indifferent.: How to Win the Nobel Peace Prize In 12 DaysChris Larimerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01770607122746467750noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30216641.post-45179199564474158452009-10-12T02:00:44.321-04:002009-10-12T02:00:44.321-04:00Mr. Obama himself said he didn't deserve it......Mr. Obama himself said he didn't deserve it...and I agree with him. I'm post-modern enough (heck - a firm enough believer in total depravity) to be skeptical of any claim to absolute unbias. But I don't think race is the basis of the critique. After all, the Rev'd Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. won the prize for his civil rights work; he was black, and I think he deserved it. (Of course, that could be my bias, seeing as he was a life-long Republican.) Abp. Desmond Tutu also won the prize, for his work in dismantling - then healing - Apartheid. While I didn't always agree with every method he took, I agree he earned the prize. (But again - I'm an Anglican now, so I could be favorably dispositioned towards him.) I thought Nelson Mandela, another black man, also deserved it. (But I should caution you - we're both members of the human race, so I could be biased here.)<br /><br />Why don't we just admit that Obama has done nothing to merit this once-great honor. Find anywhere in his track record in the time leading up to the decision to award the prize that would justify the claim that he earned it "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples."<br /><br />WHEN? WHERE? As a lawyer and law prof? As a junior senator in Illinois (who used a technical error to unseat a real living legend of the civil rights era)? As a junior senator to the US (where he spent most of his time campaigning to be president)?Chris Larimerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01770607122746467750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30216641.post-24970155155148338912009-10-11T22:05:10.101-04:002009-10-11T22:05:10.101-04:00Do you think it will ever be possible to remove ra...Do you think it will ever be possible to remove race from the equation? I have yet to live anywhere that doesn't have racism. There is always a group that has the power, always based on ethnicity. <br /><br />In the west, we seem to strive toward some sort of equality, but we don't know how to achieve it. We overreact, overcompensate, and yet seem to fear relinquishing our grip on power.<br /><br />I don't know if Obama deserved the prize or not, it's not my call. I'm not even sure that the prize means anything anymore. I am enjoying watching the reaction, it's really educational. People are so much fun to watch!Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10615470767636439884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30216641.post-49421697158737703302009-10-11T01:55:11.276-04:002009-10-11T01:55:11.276-04:00I'm glad no white people were ever opposed to ...I'm glad no white people were ever opposed to George W. Bush's policies. The White Choice is the Right Choice...all race, nothing ideological.<br /><br />(I think fellow Nobel Peace Laureate Jimmy Carter said roughly the same thing. Since I'm white, male, and Southern I guess I have no choice but to agree.)Chris Larimerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01770607122746467750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30216641.post-3628913002990456082009-10-11T00:52:59.721-04:002009-10-11T00:52:59.721-04:00Chris,
It's just been among acquaintances, not...Chris,<br />It's just been among acquaintances, nothing scientific. I'm pretty isolated, I don't have a diverse group of American friends. However, my Chinese and European friends all are thrilled. I know white people who NOW are thrilled with it but initially went, "WHAT? "Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10615470767636439884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30216641.post-33850514138648036402009-10-10T21:01:39.095-04:002009-10-10T21:01:39.095-04:00Can you submit proof of that statement? (That crit...Can you submit proof of that statement? (That criticism is along racial lines?) I know white people that are thrilled about it and black people that thinks it's ridiculous.<br /><br />I really appreciate that <a href="http://tinyurl.com/yhd4snq" rel="nofollow">people of different ideological stripes are recognizing the folly</a> of this action.Chris Larimerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01770607122746467750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30216641.post-20631303456096177732009-10-09T21:05:32.396-04:002009-10-09T21:05:32.396-04:00I can do that, how do I get my name submitted? Pic...I can do that, how do I get my name submitted? Pick me. Pick me.<br /><br />The reactions have been interesting. They don't fall along party lines, they are along racial lines. <br /><br />How do you react to something like this? Does this now put more pressure on Obama toward that end, or does he let it go to his head and think he's already there. It's time to sit back and observe.Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10615470767636439884noreply@blogger.com