Obama takes Nobel Peace Prize, wages War in Afghanistan

U.S. President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Barack Obama laughs after receiving his medal and diploma from Nobel committee chairman Thorbjorn Jagland at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony at City Hall in Oslo December 10, 2009.

Source: Limelife

(Limelife) Obama addresses his controversial recent moves in Nobel Peace Prize speech.

Critics are judging that it may have been an odd time to grant President Obama with the Nobel Peace Prize today in Oslo, Norway. His approval ratings are among the lowest they've ever been, largely due to the current state of the economy and his decision to keep U.S. troops in Afghanistan until 2011. Obama addressed this in his Nobel Peace Prize speech this morning.

In his 4,000-word Nobel Peace Prize speech, Obama said that his decision to keep troops in Afghanistan is his way of following Martin Luther King and Ghandi as "the North Star that guides us on our journey" to humanistic treatment and peace for all humans. He said that while war is not ideal, it is sometimes necessary: "A non-violent movement could not have halted Hilter's wars...To say that force is sometimes necessary is not a call to cynicism -- it is a recognition of history; the imperfections of men and the limits of reason."

Obama also addressed the environment and climate change as critical points of effort that impact "drought, famine and mass deplacement." Obama also noted religion as a topic that needs great sensitivity and consideration, remembering the "cruelty of the Crusades" and reprimanding "those who have distorted and defiled the religion of Islam."

In the introduction given to Obama, it's stated that the Nobel committee was granting him the Peace Prize "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." Obama made clear his first priority: "I face the world as it is and am obliged to protect and defend the United States."

Interestingly the Dalai Lama commented that he felt President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize too soon. "I think if you are realistic, it may have been a little early but it doesn't matter, I know Obama is a very able person." The Dalai Lama said he feels there were candidates "more deserving" of the honor. It's also said Afghans are outraged at the Nobel committee's decision to give Obama the Peace Prize.

Source: Limelife

Quotes from President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech

"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"
"A nonviolent movement could not have halted Hitler's armies. Negotiations cannot convince al-Qaidas leaders to lay down their arms. To say that force is sometimes necessary is not a call to cynicism — it is a recognition of history, the imperfections of man and the limits of reason."
"the instruments of war do have a role to play in preserving the peace"
"The belief that peace is desirable is rarely enough to achieve it. Peace requires responsibility. Peace entails sacrifice"
"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."
"the suppression of tribal and religious identity can lead to violence. "
"sanctions without outreach — and condemnation without discussion — can carry forward a crippling status quo. No repressive regime can move down a new path unless it has the choice of an open door... we must try as best we can to balance isolation and engagement, pressure and incentives, so that human rights and dignity are advanced over time."
"no Holy War can ever be a just war. For if you truly believe that you are carrying out divine will, then there is no need for restraint — no need to spare the pregnant mother, or the medic, or even a person of one's own faith. Such a warped view of religion is not just incompatible with the concept of peace, but the purpose of faith — for the one rule that lies at the heart of every major religion is that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us."

Watch video of Obama's Nobel Peace Prize speech below.