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

[BloodEclipse]

Nobel peace prize: Norwegians incensed over Barack Obama's snubs
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/09/obama-nobel-peace-prize-snub/print#history-byline​

Barack Obama has turned down a lunch invitation from the King of Norway. Photograph: Win McNamee/Getty
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.
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.
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.

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.

I don't think he cares.

 

[haldir]

I don't blame them for being upset. Here they have a King that BHO can come and bow to and he snubs him... wonder what's wrong with this King, too white european, nothing he can apologize for... I hope they send Thor over to kick his butt.

 

[femurphy77]

Just when you think he can't embarass us any more, I wonder what he has in store for us next?

 

[chraland51]

Just keep remembering that he was part of ACORN. He supported ACORN during the campaign and to this day. He lets lots and lots of our tax dollars go to ACORN. ACORN helped him to get elected. ACORN just declared itself to be free of corruption. This determination was the result of its own internal investigation. Does anyone else see a problem here. Why aren't the supposed good guys in Washington D.C. yelling their heads off about this and all of the multitude of other shady and corrupt activities going on at this very time? Me thinks that they are all in cahoots with each other.

 

[bigiron]

"This is a central part of our government system. He should respect the monarchy," she told VG. how dare she!! she should realize he is building his own monarchy here and see the importance of him being here to rip us off.

my second theory is that Norway doesn't have enough money so the obamanator isn't going to hang around where he can't steal a little from their wallets. shame, shame obamanator, once you bow to a king you must bow to all kings, including oprah.

 

[wtfd661]

Obama has to govern the US

Such a warm fuzzy statement

 

[dross]

I suspect this an attempt to downplay the coverage of this event. The backlash for this has been severe.

Remember, there are two constituencies a President must address - his hardcore supporters, for they supply the money to run - not just for him, but for the people he needs in Congress, and the swing state voters.

 

[Dryden]

It's called Take the money and Run.

 

[Big John]

Refraining from comment because my feelings and words at this moment would result in a ban. That picture just pisses me off!!!

 

[rambone]

I don't blame them for being upset. Here they have a King that BHO can come and bow to and he snubs him... wonder what's wrong with this King, too white european, nothing he can apologize for... I hope they send Thor over to kick his butt.

I think you nailed it. If he's going to bow down to kings, might as well not pick favorites.