An unlikely Nobel Peace Prize nominee

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nomination of Julian Assange for the Nobel Peace Prize, exploring the implications of such a nomination and comparing it to previous winners, particularly Barack Obama. Participants express varying opinions on whether Assange deserves the award, the significance of the nomination, and the broader context of peace and justice in relation to the prize.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that Julian Assange deserves the Nobel Peace Prize more than Barack Obama, citing his role in revealing injustices.
  • Others argue that the nomination of Assange is questionable, as many individuals risk their lives for peace and justice, making his candidacy seem less valid.
  • A participant mentions that the nomination process is secretive, and one nomination does not equate to serious consideration for the prize.
  • There is a discussion about the irony of WikiLeaks being nominated for a peace prize while undermining the credibility of a previous winner, Obama.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the Nobel Peace Prize's recent selections, suggesting it has become a "joke" in recent years.
  • Concerns are raised about the rationale for awarding a prize to someone whose actions may undermine diplomacy.
  • Participants reflect on the impact of Obama's speeches and actions in the context of global movements for change, questioning how much influence he had on events like the protests in Egypt.
  • There is a call for deeper analysis of both Obama’s and Assange’s contributions to peace and justice, with contrasting views on their legacies.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions about the merits of Assange's nomination, with no clear consensus on whether he deserves the prize. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of his actions and the criteria for deserving the Nobel Peace Prize.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the lack of clarity in the nomination process and the subjective nature of what constitutes deserving actions for the Nobel Peace Prize. There are also references to the political context surrounding the nominations and the historical significance of past winners.

  • #31
For the case of Assange, there might be some less controversial contributions which one should look at in the past, at least less controversial for US citizens.
 
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  • #32
Kevin_Axion said:
Haha! You're right, others may feel differently but maybe that's just U.S politics or democracy in general.

This is more along the lines of what I had in mind regarding President Obama:
http://www.mrc.org/biasalert/2011/20110201052226.aspx

"On Monday's Piers Morgan Tonight on CNN, disgraced former CBS anchor Dan Rather attributed the current protests in Egypt to President Obama's June 2009 speech to the Muslim world in Cairo: "He [Obama] fueled this uprising in Egypt. When he came to Cairo, let us remember, and he spoke of- listen, we stand for freedom and democracy and listening to people. The Egyptians believed his rhetoric" "
 
  • #33
Whatever you think of Assanges actions, there is no way he is motivated by wanting peace in any meaning of the word, so a nomination for the Peace Prize is ludicrous.
 
  • #34
cobalt124 said:
Whatever you think of Assanges actions, there is no way he is motivated by wanting peace in any meaning of the word, so a nomination for the Peace Prize is ludicrous.
What, in your opinion, is he motivated by?
 
  • #35
Gokul43201 said:
What, in your opinion, is he motivated by?

This is casual, not causal, but he doesn't shy away from the cameras. He seems to enjoy fame, and even infamy; that's the mark of immaturity so he may just enjoy the mess. Maybe he feels real outrage, but he's too juvenile and derailed by ego to properly express that? He doesn't strike me as a force for peace though.


My vote, would be anyone who rises to the top in Egypt and brings this to a peaceful conclusion, which leads to the elections desired.
 
  • #36
Gokul43201 said:
What, in your opinion, is he motivated by?

IMO, his motivation seems to be to out the truth, regardless of the consequences. Right? Justified? These can be discussed. Contributing to peace? Certainly not in the short term, and I am sure that is not what is on his mind.
 
  • #37
cobalt124 said:
IMO, his motivation seems to be to out the truth, regardless of the consequences. Right? Justified? These can be discussed. Contributing to peace? Certainly not in the short term, and I am sure that is not what is on his mind.

What truth? I haven't seen anything earth-shaking from Wikileaks, just embarrassing for the parties involved. Supposedly there's more, but then if he's in it for sharing information why not share it? Even if you like the Wikileaks model, there's nothing special about Assange except his notoriety; leak sites have been around for years, but they usually specialize. They used to be called tabloids!
 
  • #38
Nicodemus said:
What truth? I haven't seen anything earth-shaking from Wikileaks, just embarrassing for the parties involved. Supposedly there's more, but then if he's in it for sharing information why not share it? Even if you like the Wikileaks model, there's nothing special about Assange except his notoriety; leak sites have been around for years, but they usually specialize. They used to be called tabloids!

That's my perception of him, I guess I don't really know, though I am very certain they have nothing to do with promoting peace.
 
  • #39
humanino said:
I had in my mind a 180 degrees with respect to the previous policy, before his administration altogether, and in particular w.r.t. GWB. That is a relevant ingredient in Obama's peace prize (as sad as it is to admit it). For instance, France's minister of foreign affairs officially declared their opposition to Tunisia Jasmine Revolution. I have not seen the US administration commit such faux pas.

Silly me, I thought President Obama earned it for closing Guantanamo Bay?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...Malim-Gul-dies-exercising-Guantanamo-Bay.html
 
  • #40
This quote seems to sum up the opposition "Because he thought it was good sport. Because some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn. "
 
  • #41
You guys do know that Assange is no longer in control of the leaked cables. He's very upset, and even resorted to pretending that the Norwegian newspaper that usurped him is a partner. Not according to the Norwegian paper.

As if there isn't enough intrigue around Wikileaks and its enigmatic founder, a Norwegian daily that laid hands on the same US classified documents says it has infuriated Julian Assange by playing his own game.

Since last December, the daily Aftenposten, the Nordic country's paper of reference, has been "leaking" the Wikileaks diplomatic secrets but according to its own choice and pace -- independent of the script set by Assange in a deal with five world-renowned papers.
continued...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110130/lf_afp/usdiplomacywikileaksnorwaymedia_20110130052025

Oh well, Assange had his 15 minutes, now he's nothing, he's been outdone at his own game. His former wikileaks partner turned against him, has a book about him coming out this month, and has started his own version of wikileaks.

The embattled WikiLeaks chief detested by governments across the globe and wanted for questioning on sex crime allegations in Sweden is now under assault from within his own ranks.

Former members of the anti-secrecy organization are staging a virtual revolt against Julian Assange, launching a spinoff site called OpenLeaks.

"We felt WikiLeaks is developing in the wrong direction. There's too much personal entanglement," Daniel Domscheit-Berg, a former top WikiLeaks member and one of the founders of OpenLeaks, told the BBC in an interview today.
continued

http://www.aolnews.com/2010/12/14/wikileaks-revolt-ex-assange-colleague-forms-openleaks/
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #42
Evo said:
You guys do know that Assange is no longer in control of the leaked cables. He's very upset, and even resorted to pretending that the Norwegian newspaper that usurped him is a partner. Not according to the Norwegian paper.

continued...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110130/lf_afp/usdiplomacywikileaksnorwaymedia_20110130052025

Oh well, Assange had his 15 minutes, now he's nothing, he's been outdone at his own game. His former wikileaks partner turned against him, has a book about him coming out this month, and has started his own version of wikileaks.

continued

http://www.aolnews.com/2010/12/14/wikileaks-revolt-ex-assange-colleague-forms-openleaks/

Yeah that sounds like the Assange I imagined: Ego Uber Alle.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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