Nobel peace prize: Norwegians incensed over Barack Obama's snubs

[Bluebear]

Barack Obama's trip to Oslo to pick up his Nobel peace award is in danger of being overshadowed by a row over the cancellation of a series of events normally attended by the prizewinner.

Norwegians are incensed over what they view as his shabby response to the prize by cutting short his visit.

The White House has cancelled many of the events peace prize laureates traditionally submit to, including a dinner with the Norwegian Nobel committee, a press conference, a television interview, appearances at a children's event promoting peace and a music concert, as well as a visit to an exhibition in his honour at the Nobel peace centre.

He has also turned down a lunch invitation from the King of Norway.

According to a poll published by the daily tabloid VG, 44% of Norwegians believe it was rude of Obama to cancel his scheduled lunch with King Harald, with only 34% saying they believe it was acceptable.

"Of all the things he is cancelling, I think the worst is cancelling the lunch with the king," said Siv Jensen, the leader of the largest party in opposition, the populist Progress party. "This is a central part of our government system. He should respect the monarchy," she told VG.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/09/obama-nobel-peace-prize-snub

[postulater]

1. I'm incensed over lutefisk.

[sailor65]

24. You'll love this then....it's #4

although I get a real kick out of #5

:-)

http://www.cracked.com/article_14979_6-most-terrifying-foods-in-world.html

[postulater]

41. Oh man, that list makes haggis look like apple pie.

[inna]

131. OMG!

#3: Baby Mice Wine:




#5 is insane! WTF is wrong with the Sardinians?

#1 actually looks sort of interesting... :P

[Sheltiemama]

155. I just put that link on my Facebook page.

Lordy, that's hilarious!

[Raine]

152. Punish Obama by making him smell that stuff

than eat it. My grandparents were from Norway and would fix it, my mother, brother and myself would stay on the porch outside holding our noses to keep from gagging. x(

[dysfunctional press]

2. what a total fuckwad thing to do...

he just gets better every day. :sarcasm:

[bdamomma]

3. what the hell, why is Obama turning down a lunch with their King?

maybe Obama doesn't what anyone fussing over him? but there is such a thing as diplomacy.

[derby378]

22. I've heard some folks say it was to battle his falling approval numbers back home

The word is that he can't be seen dining with royalty and posing for pictures on the even of troop escalations and increasing disapproval over the course of health insurance reform.

[NoUsername]

162. Oh well, that makes it OK.

So apparently, dining with the leaders of other countries would give the wrong impression whereas appointing Walls Street operatives to determine financial objectives for the country and meeting with Heath Care Insurance providers to lay out the plan for "health care reform" for the country is A-OK.

I think I get it now.

[emulatorloo]

46. Apprarently there is a "Royal Visit" with the King, just not doing the lunch.

[Deep13]

4. What can he do? He was late for the climate summit.

Maybe the Norwegians are looking forward to becoming a tropical paradise.

[Bluebear]

5. yeah that must be it.

[bdamomma]

35. yea, that could be it, he is expected to be in Copenhagen.

[dionysus]

6. and were he to attend these events, the people on this thread bitching,

would say how dare he be a celebrity while there is no health care reform and we're at war. bank on it.

[Bluebear]

7. Yes, everyone would "bitch" about him attending a children's event promoting peace. You're right.

:silly:

[Deep13]

11. He's politicizing childhood!

:dunce:

[Name removed]

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[emulatorloo]

23. HOW DARE OBAMA WASTE TIME ON THESE FRIVOLOUS SELF-AGGRANDIZING EVENTS AND PHOTO-OPS

THE WORST HIS EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN WHO REALLY WANT PEACE. THEY DESERVE BETTER THAN A CRAVEN PHOTO OP

[Name removed]

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[NoUsername]

160. Exactly. Can't have have him promoting peace when he's accepting

the Nobel Peace Prize.

After all, he has more important things to attend to, like increasing troop numbers for the various wars we're engaged in, for instance.

Some things take priority.

[Deep13]

9. I would not have blown off the king...

...but otherwise he may have felt it hypocritical to be acting like an emissary for peace under the circumstances. And Copenhagen was in progress.

[JonQ]

14. If he feels hypocritical

to be "acting like an emissary for peace under the circumstances" then shouldn't he have refused the award?

[Deep13]

28. The whole thing is a no win situation for him.

The Norwegians decided to award him the prize for reasons of their own. It would have been seen as an insult not to accept it. It would also have invited comparisons to Nazi Germany which did not allow its scientists to go to Sweden for Nobel prizes. (The awards were well deserved for the discovery of the first antibiotics in the '30s.)

[JonQ]

49. There are other options

he could have said he was undeserving of it, but appreciated the gesture and will work towards deserving it next year. He could have accepted it and dedicated it to someone else.

And it's not really comparable to nazi germany refusing scientists permission to go. He's the president, who would be refusing him permission?

[Deep13]

53. I mean that Norway would have been in the position...

...that the Swedes were in in 1939: granting the award only to have it refused because a foreign govt. would not allow it (in this case Obama not allowing himself) because of internal politics.

[JonQ]

81. They could have given it to no one then

doesn't seem like the worst thing in to world.

Or pull a Times move, and give it to everyone who is working towards peace.

[Deep13]

94. Yeah, they could have given it to any one of a lot of people.

I don't know why they chose Obama, but they must have their reasons. Maybe it was simply in recognition of his don't-be-a-total-dick approach to foreign affairs.

[JonQ]

108. I think more it was a recognition

of his "I'm not bush" strategy.

[Deep13]

109. Yeah, that's what I meant.

:-)

[dflprincess]

158. Maybe they were just suckered the way we were

:shrug:

[sushi]

165. Good question!

He should have refused the award. He doesn't deserve it (yet).

[emulatorloo]

32. He's meeting with the king, having a "royal visit"

His speech is good, take a look at it when you get a chance.

[Deep13]

38. Oh, so what's all the complaining about, then? nt

[emulatorloo]

47. I guess there is usually 3 days worth of stuff to do, Concerts as guest of honor, etc etc

Nobel committee seems fine with it. There is a post below where they say "Obama has to govern the US"

[malaise]

10. +1 n/t

[Name removed]

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[omega minimo]

64. nonsense

[HuckleB]

90. +1

[malaise]

8. So how come Chuckie Todd

hasn't mentioned this yet. He said earlier that Obama would attend the dinner.

[SIMPLYB1980]

12. But they are meeting.

"The Norwegian Nobel committee, which awards the peace prize, dismissed the criticism. "We always knew that there were too many events in the programme. Obama has to govern the US and we were told early on that he could not commit to all of them," said Geir Lundestad, secretary of the committee.

Although Obama will not lunch with King Harald, he will see him on a visit to the royal palace."

[emulatorloo]

19. "Obama has to govern the US"

Um, good point!

Glad to hear he is visiting the King.

[SIMPLYB1980]

21. Me too. No need to be rude,

but also no need to make a huge production of it. I wouldn't be surprised if the King was glad not to have to make a production either.

[bdamomma]

44. no lunch but meeting with the King that's fair enough.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

13. Is this trip considered 'state business'?

I'm wondering if that complicates what he can/should involve him self in.

[CTyankee]

43. I would expect that my president would pay his respects to a head of state

when he visits his/her country. And it does give him another chance to discuss his political vision with them. It is good for the King to meet him.

[emulatorloo]

16. Need to get back to Copenhagen and the US, I guess

Would have been nice to go to the lunch.

Freepers and wingnut talking heads are "incensed" too. Some Du'ers are "incensed". Lots of "incensed" for President Barack Obama. Has been since inauguration day, I figure.

[FreeState]

161. The flight from Oslo to Copenhagen is less than an hour n/t

[JonQ]

17. They only feel that way because they're racist

they never complained when a white US president refused to meet with their king after receiving the peace prize in the middle of escalating a war.

[Deep13]

30. Yeah!!

:evilgrin:

[racaulk]

18. Oh, shut up! You just want Sarah Palin to be President.

:crazy:

[emulatorloo]

27. Maybe just likes seeing the words "INCENSED" and "OBAMA" in the same sentence.

Nobody wants Sarah Palin to be President!

[dionysus]

31. when i worship at my obama altar i like to burn incense

:shrug:

whats the big deal?

:shrug:

[emulatorloo]

36. I hear the Obama gods respond best to "Campfire Memories" incense

as it reminds them of camping trips taken during their young godhoods in our great national parks system

[Deep13]

34. At least she'd protect us from witch craft.

There is NOTHING in the HCR bills to protect us from witches. It's not cheap to be turned from a newt back into a human, you know.

[racaulk]

39. BURN HER!!!

[emulatorloo]

48. Those teabaggers turn quickly, don't they.

[Romulox]

26. How do they feel about him escalating war while accepting an award for peace?

:shrug:

[emulatorloo]

29. Nobel committee was aware of his campaign promises when they made the award

Obama also addressed the issue in his speech.

[SIMPLYB1980]

37. +100

[Romulox]

40. As I said in another thread, that's *check* and *mate*, Nobel Committee. nt

[dionysus]

66. whoa, you just showed the nobal committee all right!!

[JonQ]

45. Then they made a mistake and can't claim ignorance as a defense

[JVS]

62. Yeah. Wait till they get a load of the escalation carnage!

[omega minimo]

33. That's bizarre. Why would he do (all) that? Is the U.S. telling the world to fuck off, like Bushco?

[emulatorloo]

42. Help me, I really don't understand the impulse to ascribe the WORST POSSIBLE MOTIVES

when a more common sense explanation exists.

-- copenhagen is going on, and as the Nobel committee says, Obama needs to govern the US

-- He is meeting with the King, he isnt snubbing him

[omega minimo]

50. .

:puke:

[dionysus]

54. so rational explanations make you puke? do you have an ulcer or something?

[omega minimo]

58. Both these replies make no sense. Yes, that's sickening. All the bravado for a buncha

bullshit.


"Rational explanations"? :wtf: :rofl:

[dionysus]

61. gimme a break, like you really give a shit if obama has lunch with the norwegian king or anything

like that. seriously. you don't. you're transparent, and the fact you'll fake outrage over this, frankly, is pathetic.

yes, the explanations are rational, and no, you aren't.

:rofl: indeed.

[omega minimo]

71. actually

you're the one here who is unbelievable.

[emulatorloo]

102. LOL I thought DU was a discussion board, not a Vomiting Smilie Emoticon "chat room"

[omega minimo]

104. There's no discussion going on in here.

[Bluebear]

114. You said it. And damn the Norwegians for being senstive & damn the Brits for reporting it.

unreal, this joint.

[omega minimo]

125. Tradition. Who needs it?

:hi:

[roody]

51. Get used to it.

Bush's third term.

[Name removed]

55. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ieoeja]

52. Maybe they should listen to the Nobel Prize Committee.

"The Norwegian Nobel committee, which awards the peace prize, dismissed the criticism. 'We always knew that there were too many events in the programme. Obama has to govern the US and we were told early on that he could not commit to all of them,' said Geir Lundestad, secretary of the committee.

"Although Obama will not lunch with King Harald, he will see him on a visit to the royal palace."


Sounds like the Nobel Prize Committee is composed of a bunch of neo-con warmongers carrying water for their Messiah.

[Name removed]

110. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[omega minimo]

113. LOL

[Bluebear]

140. ---

Best. Response. Ever. :)

[ieoeja]

166. Why in the world would the mods have deleted that?

I agree with you. Putting Norweigan spelling on "Obamabots" was the perfect addition to my list of sarcastic name-calling of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee.

Mods must have thought the poster was calling *me* an Obamabot. Oh well.

[Name removed]

56. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

57. Deleted sub-thread

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[omega minimo]

59. Don't undermine yourself.

It's quite the list of traditional events the President has declined. How do you explain it?

"The White House has cancelled many of the events peace prize laureates traditionally submit to, including a dinner with the Norwegian Nobel committee, a press conference, a television interview, appearances at a children's event promoting peace and a music concert, as well as a visit to an exhibition in his honour at the Nobel peace centre.

"He has also turned down a lunch invitation from the King of Norway."

[FrenchieCat]

65. I don't have to explain anything......

as I don't really give a shit.

He didn't ask for this prize,
and it has done nothing but help
those folks put a stick in his eye.

If the King of Norway knew in advance and understood it,
then I'm not quite sure why folks here are so busy
shitting on our President, once again.

So go ahead and keep on sticking your foot up this President's ass.....
That's what many are good at....but not much more.

[omega minimo]

74. No you don't

And that reply -- if it was to me and not your Strawmen Obama Haters -- was undeserved.

[Bluebear]

116. Careful, she will say you are calling Obama a janitor.

[Bluebear]

115. 'folks here are so busy shitting on our President' hahaha...damn sensitive Norwegians.

Damn brits for reporting it.

[TwilightGardener]

70. I don't think a currently-sitting President has three days to devote to being feted.

One day and a visit to the King should be plenty.

[omega minimo]

80. A reasonable point. Perhaps a few more events could be fit into the day?

Apparently the lunch with the King is of great importance to the Norwegians.

If on this occasion, Obama has not enough time for pomp and circumstance and perpetuates the appearance of arrogant, cloddish, selfish Americanism, perhaps he should not accept the prize. He is being awarded it in part for beginning to alter that perception and relationship with the rest of the world ...

[TwilightGardener]

84. He has somewhere he has to be. He's probably the busiest person in the world.

He went in person, he's accepting the honor and gave a speech and is meeting with heads of state and the Nobel committee. I just don't see where that's arrogant or "cloddish".

[omega minimo]

92. Yeah, whatever dude. The Norsks'll get over it. Big whoop.

[TwilightGardener]

95. Must...find...fault... somewhere, somehow...

This sort of circumstance is where people who disagree with his policies are separated from people who just don't like him, personally. Very enlightening.

[omega minimo]

99. and then there are those

who would like to discuss the issue without black and white thinking and obnoxious projections, from those looking to fight over Obama for whatever reason or no reason at all.

[AndrewP]

60. Meh, Obama is in a tough spot here.

He'll piss off someone no matter what he does in Norway.

[Bluebear]

117. No "meh" about it. It is called protocol.

[AndrewP]

127. Meh

[Bluebear]

150. Simple.

[whatchamacallit]

63. He wants out because the longer he's over there basking in the light of the "peace prize"

the longer his duplicity is on display.

[FrenchieCat]

68. He actually just gave an entire speech on that topic......

so may I ask, did you bother to watch it?

[whatchamacallit]

85. Ah... another good speech... Well that changes everything!

I'm sure it was excellent as that is apparently what he does; gives speeches.

[FrenchieCat]

88. If you didn't bother to listen,

then you are clueless on this,

Personally, I'd rather hear a thoughtful speech from a Nobel Peace Prize winner,
than read some opinionated loud mouth do nothing's uninformed stupid ass post anyday.

[whatchamacallit]

91. Well, If doing something in the service of peace = more war

I'm happy to be a do-nothing. Your fidelity to the president is admirable, I hope he deserves it.

[FrenchieCat]

97. No one person is perfect, as humanity is not perfect.......

and therefore peace, although perhaps vaguely achievable to some point,
will not be a perfect endeavor, not will it be done via simple solutions,
as humanity is not as simple as folks would wish.

That is what Pres. Obama's speech was about......
but many won't know that, because they will instead use up their time
to align with the Right in demanding what they be shown perfection according to
their own perception and nothing less,
where there is none.

[whatchamacallit]

112. Wow Frenchie, interesting perspective there

In what universe is being antiwar aligned with the right?

[ErinBerin84]

67. I read he's the first sitting president who's won and actually showed up to accept

He seems to get this a lot when he travels...either that country perceives a slight when he doesn't spend enough time there, or the US media makes it into a faux controversy when he does spend time abroad, etc.

[VMI Dem]

69. Shame maybe?

Continuation of the Bush approach to dealing with potential threats is not the change many hoped for.

[omega minimo]

72. Could someone please tell me why we're not even capable of discussing this at all

like rational -- maybe even adult -- people.

Choose your sides, gloves are off, cliches and BS are flying, who knows who is the real phony here, just playing games ...

This one is a classic.

[dionysus]

73. your idea of a good thread would for us all to join hands and declare how awful obama is.

on
every
single
issue

don't even pretend otherwise. you've been at it for months on end.
:shrug:

[omega minimo]

75. Nonsense

[dionysus]

77. roffle.

[Unvanguard]

76. I really couldn't care less. Good for Obama, he has more important things to be doing. n/t

[Bluebear]

118. Screw the Norwegians, eh? Collect your million $ and begone.

[Cleita]

78. There used to be an office of protocol that at one time that advised Presidents

and diplomats on how not to offend people when they are visiting foreign countries by making innocent, but treacherous, gaffs in diplomacy. If he's going to be a globe trotting President, he needs to find someone to do that for him. He apparently doesn't have one right now.

[FrenchieCat]

79. We can't afford one, and after all of the mistakes that the U.S. has made

that deal with more than made up protocol,
to have to comment about this says more about us,
than about anything else.

He's damned, 24/7.

[Cleita]

89. Nobody is damning Obama. He can't, by himself, maneuver through the world

without making mistakes, unless he gets the right advice from professionals and that is what the office of protocol is supposed to do. I suspect it was disbanded back in the Reagan administration. Nancy touching the Queen of England (a big no, no) was a clue. It needs to be brought back. I also believe he would have been advised not to bow to the Emperor of Japan. It's not a big deal. You don't have to bow and won't be considered rude if you don't, but there was nobody around, it seems to advise him not to.

[FrenchieCat]

98. Pluease.......

on hindsight, everyone sees where perfection is lacking,
but I've got news for you, the perceived perfection that you seek,
and would prefer to have is not attainable,
because the entire point of humanity is that none of us will be perfect, ever.

I'd rather have a President who understands this,
than to believe that I should respect a DUer who obviously
doesn't fucking get it.

[Cleita]

111. FrenchieCat.

All your posts indicate that you want to see Obama as a Messiah. I like the guy and I want him to succeed. I want him to get the people around him who will help him become a great President and right now he doesn't have them. If we don't point out what we perceive are mistakes or could lead down a wrong path, he won't know. He might as well be a king with everyone toadying to him.

[FrenchieCat]

126. All my posts indicate that Obama is an imperfect person,

just like you and me....and that I shall not be appointed his judge and jury with every step he takes. I oftentime post defense, because you can be sure that someone is working hard at offense, many times about fucking nothing.

[omega minimo]

82. Nah, skip that. He just needs a drive up window to pull up in the Beast and grab the statue

Yay for our team!!!!

[spanone]

83. blah blah blah...i want lunch with Obama too!

[FrenchieCat]

86. How ridiculous are you, posting bullshit tears in teacup news?

Quite a bit, I would say.

But go ahead, make your day.
but in reality, you've accomplished nothing
of any redeemable quality....
cause shitting on the President these days,
is status quo; it's so easy to do,
and requires absolutely no skills, no thought, and no reason.
Ask the Teabaggers; they are most excellent
at this endeavor, as is the media, and they are so happy
you could join them in their quest,
to demean this President as often and in as varied ways as possible.

Good on you! :headbang:


He may be bowing!
Let's discuss that shit too!


US President Barack Obama, right and first lady Michelle, left, are greeted by King Harald of Norway, center, at the Royal Palace in Oslo Thursday Dec. 10, 2009 watched by Queen Sonja of Norway, third left, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, background, prior to the Nobel ceremony in the City Hall.

[omega minimo]

93. You don't see how one-note your accusations seem, either

[FrenchieCat]

100. I'm in a thread filled with one note superficial unrealistic accusations about

much to do about nothing.

I'm glad I don't agree with the Kool Kids.

[omega minimo]

105. not entirely

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=7195212&mesg_id=7195712

[SIMPLYB1980]

101. PWND!

[Bluebear]

121. Hardly.

But thanks for reminding me to ignore your account, because I have never seen you post one substantive thing.

[SIMPLYB1980]

124. Oh good on another Ignore!

[Forkboy]

149. Self portrait?

[spoony]

164. 2006 just called.

They want their internet cliche back.

[emulatorloo]

107. WOW the King looks OVERJOYED to see Obama. Must be the Norwegian facial expression for "incensed"

[Bluebear]

119. get some psychological help. You really need it.

[inna]

136. jeez, what a ridiculous post.

[malaise]

141. That king is so fugging incensed

that I'm getting up off the floor. :rofl:

[Number23]

157. Right??! If he looked any happier to see the Pres, he'd have a damn ice cream cake in his hands!

Mmmmmm... ice cream cake....

You just have to laugh at this shit, don't you??

[spoony]

163. Your anger is way out of proportion to the post

you are
replying to. You sense a
conspiracy around
every
corner but like so many paranoid visions
they originate and solely exist within the mind.
And so superficial is your teabagger claim
it is without any serious effort on your part,
you are just phoning it in anymore.

Oops
I almost forgot to
end on a smiley.

:freak:

[katkat]

87. no courtesy

One thing that's clear about this administration is that they have no one in there who knows anything about manners and what's expected of the President. Hence the present of a bunch of CDs, etc.

[hileeopnyn8d]

135. That's right

the President and First Lady obviously have no manners, nor do they know their place.

Why don't you just call him "boy" and get it over with?

Disgusting.

[katkat]

137. get a grip

Saying people commit one faux pas after another is not a reflection on their race.

[katkat]

142. Capricia Penavic Marshall

Actually, these messups are at the door of Capricia Penavic Marshall, the Chief of Protocol. Either she isn't doing her job, or Obama isn't listening to her.

[marshall]

96. That Nobel Peace Prize committee didn't know who they were dealing with!

I've always thought they gave him the prize for two reasons--as a snub to Bush, and as a pre-emptive way to control Obama. Part of me is glad that he has refused to be bought off with a shiny prize and fancy dinners. In the words of Kathy Griffin: "Suck on this, Norway!"

[omega minimo]

106. Hey the Norwegians are "incensed"! Isn't that enough?

LOL

[Bluebear]

123. Did he refuse the million dollar prize too? You know, just to flip Norway off?

[malaise]

103. He is attending the dinner n/t

[QC]

120. Why are people posting material from a notorious right wing source like The Guardian?

What has happened to this place???

[Name removed]

122. Deleted sub-thread

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[malaise]

128. The Guardian is not right wing at all

Sadly someone got this wrong because thousands were in the streets outside the hotel waving at a candle light vigil held in Obama's honor and they were chanting his name as he waved to them. Even Chuckie Todd admitted that.

[QC]

132. I'm being sarcastic is all.

I've been reading The Grauniad for years.

[hileeopnyn8d]

134. It may be the Guardian

but they're quoting a tabloid poll. It says that right in the article.

[malaise]

138. Peace

:D

[inna]

130. Maybe you're thinking The Telegraph?...

The Guardian is not right-wing at all, it's leftish if anything.

[QC]

133. See above. ;-)

[inna]

129. interesting...

Peace activists opposed to the Afghanistan war are planning a 5,000-strong protest in Oslo.

The visit will test Obama's rhetorical skills as he seeks to reconcile acceptance of the Nobel peace prize with sending an extra 30,000 US troops to Afghanistan.

White House officials said that Obama, who was planning to work on the final draft of his speech on his flight from Washington to Oslo, would directly address the issue of the irony of being awarded the peace prize while escalating the war.

The Nobel peace committee has been criticised for awarding Obama the prize before he has any major accomplishments in international relations.

A White House official said that it was not necessarily an award that Obama would have given himself.

[gratuitous]

139. Well, he does have a day job

And he's scheduled out the wazoo.

[jtylerpittman]

143. he is kind of busy

[treestar]

144. He's got too much on his plate for partying

I recall he turned down throwing out the first baseball, too. It was odd. A couple of other things he's turned down, too.

[Toasterlad]

145. Or For Helping Gays!

That guy is a SERIOUSLY slow eater, with eyes WAY too big for his stomach. He never should have loaded up his plate if he wasn't going to finish everything.

[Toasterlad]

146. Given the Fact That He Certainly Doesn't DESERVE the Prize...

...I think it's wise of him to downplay this trip as much as possible.

[Deja Q]

147. That doesn't sound very peaceful...

:hide:

[CBR]

148. People would be mad at Obama if he shopped at BJ's over

Costco, rode the red line over the blue line metro, preferred salt to pepper, visited Pittsburgh over Philly, wore grey instead of brown, chose Sprint over AT&T, opened gifts on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas etc...

Someone would be snubbed, disrespected, lose a job etc...

I give up. It is absurd. I hope he did not bring the King an iPod -- that is the crime of the century.

[Bluebear]

151. Yes, so maligned and misunderstood.

[BeHereNow]

153. When the corporate masters pull the yo-yo back in that means its time to go!

Guess the Norwegians haven't figure out
who controls the string yet.

BHN

[usregimechange]

154. He should not respect a friggin monarchy!

[Bluebear]

156. Then he should return the check :)

[Major Hogwash]

159. Skoal!

There, how's that!?

[HuckleB]

167. The other Guardian article on the visit.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/10/obama-norwegians-nobel-snub-harald

Interesting difference in tone.

[mmonk]

168. I imagine it is uncomfortable.

[dusmcj]

169. don't know how to behave. /nt

[goldcanyonaz]

170. How ridiculous. He's busy!