President Obama Accepts Nobel Prize

President Obama accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway today. Read the full transcript of the speech here. An excerpt of the speech and more pictures after the jump.

More after the jump.

Here's an excerpt:

It was this insight that drove drafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights after the Second World War. In the wake of devastation, they recognized that if human rights are not protected, peace is a hollow promise.

And yet all too often, these words are ignored. In some countries, the failure to uphold human rights is excused by the false suggestion that these are Western principles, foreign to local cultures or stages of a nation's development. And within America, there has long been a tension between those who describe themselves as realists or idealists — a tension that suggests a stark choice between the narrow pursuit of interests or an endless campaign to impose our values.

I reject this choice. I believe that peace is unstable where citizens are denied the right to speak freely or worship as they please, choose their own leaders or assemble without fear. Pent up grievances fester, and the suppression of tribal and religious identity can lead to violence. We also know that the opposite is true. Only when Europe became free did it finally find peace. America has never fought a war against a democracy, and our closest friends are governments that protect the rights of their citizens. No matter how callously defined, neither America's interests — nor the worlds — are served by the denial of human aspirations.

So even as we respect the unique culture and traditions of different countries, America will always be a voice for those aspirations that are universal. We will bear witness to the quiet dignity of reformers like Aung Sang Suu Kyi; to the bravery of Zimbabweans who cast their ballots in the face of beatings; to the hundreds of thousands who have marched silently through the streets of Iran. It is telling that the leaders of these governments fear the aspirations of their own people more than the power of any other nation. And it is the responsibility of all free people and free nations to make clear to these movements that hope and history are on their side.

And you know who else was at the ceremony?

The Pinkett-Smiths acting like they just saw Moses part the Red Sea. Aww. Hilarity.

See more pictures here at Daylife.

Comments

[mswoodenshoes]

That's a whole lotta ear on display in that picture. And Michelle's dress is not the bizness. But I guess that's alright since her husband is POTUS and a Nobel Peace Prize Winner. Just my two cents.

[rikyrah]

thought the speech was challenging. loved the pictures.

[David Wise]

I wished President Obama had won the prize based on his accomplishments though.

[dilettante]

David you might feel better if you take the time to read his acceptance speech.

"And yet I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the considerable controversy that your generous decision has generated. In part, this is because I am at the beginning, and not the end, of my labors on the world stage. Compared to some of the giants of history who have received this prize — Schweitzer and King; Marshall and Mandela — my accomplishments are slight. And then there are the men and women around the world who have been jailed and beaten in the pursuit of justice; those who toil in humanitarian organizations to relieve suffering; the unrecognized millions whose quiet acts of courage and compassion inspire even the most hardened of cynics. I cannot argue with those who find these men and women — some known, some obscure to all but those they help — to be far more deserving of this honor than I. But perhaps the most profound issue surrounding my receipt of this prize is the fact that I am the Commander-in-Chief of a nation in the midst of two wars"

I could wish all of "us" knew more about our contribution to American Democracy- and I don't mean post civil war.

Well done President Obama!

[swiv]

what is your contribution to american democracy?

[dilettante]

@Swiv, a couple of things, for one I try to have an informed opinion, always useful in a democracy. I also vote ;-)
But enough about me.

Since my comment sparked your attention, here's an excellent book recommendation about American/ British history.

"Rough Crossings" focuses on the black American role in the Revolution and, most particularly, on the tens of thousands of slaves who fled to British lines after Lord Dunmore issued a proclamation in November 1775 offering slaves from rebel plantations freedom in return for service to the crown.

NY Times Book Review

Did you know the 1st post enlightenment democracy to allow women the right to vote was the one of Sierra Leone- which was populated by freed African American slaves, nearly a century before the Civil war?

cheers!

[SWIV]

really, you had a part in that?

[Wenzel Dashington]

Where's Tareq and Michaele?

[dilettante]

aww swiv, you making me blush with all the attention. As an aside, you might want to re-read the topic, and my subsequent comments. But yes indeed I voted for our current President. I also read that book- you should check it out. Simon Shama, the author, was formerly a Prof at Cambridge,Univ in England. He's now at Colombia {the Ivy league version- if that impresses you ;-) I learned a great deal about Anglo/Afro/American history. Citizens should be informed- to repeat myself , that is a contribution to a functioning democracy.

Who knows, it could inspire you to contribute more to society than stale snark on a blog.

[swiv]

LMAO, looks like i hit a nerve.

i'm not particularly impressed with where he teaaches. but if you are, that's fine. we're all entitled to have low expectations in life.

[Keith Ridley IV]

so proud of you... President Obama

[David Wise]

Dilettante, you write clearly so I'm befuddled on what you're trying to say. Are you implying that I didn't vote? This seems an awfully arrogant assumption to make. I don't know what my contribution to "American Democracy" has to do with the price of crack cocaine in Central Park. I love President Obama and I still support him, and that said, I wasn't really impressed by his speech today, which I saw live on TV this morning. He's simply using his great intellect and oratory skills to justify sending more troops into Afghanistan while he receives the Nobel Peace Prize at the same time. To me it's still bullcrap. I realize, though, that he would never get elected president if he didn't beat the wardrums time to time. Americans want a warrior president, not Dennis Kucinich. That's why 50% of America approves of the troop surge.

[khrish]

Thanks for the article. I am so proud of President Obama and the First Lady. It's been such a long time since we had a president who knew how to present himself as our representative without making an ass of himself and many of us feel ashame. Thank heavens for them. .

[bruthaman1]

voting has nothing to do with democracy. do you remember florida 2000 or ohio 2004?

[Scott]

dilettante:

A great speech won't change the fact that Obama hasn't accomplished anything worthy of a Nobel prize. Not to mention the fact that if he was going to accept the prize for doing nothing he could have at least stayed and attended some of the other events instead of being being rude to his hosts.