Obama wins 2009 Nobel Peace Prize

[wmw999 2,452]

Quote

The Nobel Peace Prize Commitee have anything other than socialists?

Well, Norway is, by Fox standards, a pretty socialist country. And, according to wikipedia:

Quote

The Norwegian Nobel Committee (Norwegian: Den norske Nobelkomité) awards the Nobel Peace Prize each year. Its five members are appointed by the Norwegian Parliament and roughly represent the political makeup of that body.

So I'd say that it's likely that there are a lot of socialists on it. Of course, an American committe would probably have a lot of capitalists. Does that mean that an American honor wouldn't count in Norway?

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[kallend 2,027]

Quote

Quote

The Nobel Peace Prize Commitee have anything other than socialists?

Well, Norway is, by Fox standards, a pretty socialist country. And, according to wikipedia:

Quote

The Norwegian Nobel Committee (Norwegian: Den norske Nobelkomité) awards the Nobel Peace Prize each year. Its five members are appointed by the Norwegian Parliament and roughly represent the political makeup of that body.

So I'd say that it's likely that there are a lot of socialists on it. Of course, an American committe would probably have a lot of capitalists. Does that mean that an American honor wouldn't count in Norway?

Wendy P.

No-one is forced to acknowledge Nobel laureates, any more than the recipients of any other award. If you don't like the decision, just ignore it.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[FallingOsh 0]

Quote

Quote

Quote

Quote

"Fair and balanced" FOX would be the only network to push a story like this, but to be honest, do you think the Nobel Prize Committee would be made up any different?

I think that if you have to resort to dismissing the Nobel committee

so one out of hand dismissal of a network, and one out of hand dismissal of a committee

seems balanced on speakers corner anyway

Depends on whether one would be inclined to equate the Nobel Committee with Fox "News".

I think MSNBC would be closer.

--------------------------------------------------
Stay positive and love your life.

[Lucky... 0]

Quote

Quote

I thought that was moot. Property tax is for real estate.

California, for one. You pay 2% of the car's value each year, plus the fixed fees. This 2% gets discounted gradually over the life of the car, but it's certainly a property tax.

If you don't register the car, is the tax still applied? How is the tax termed? Is it vehicle license fee, excise tax, property tax?

Either way, as I stated, money is taxed when it moves and for things like property tax, tolls, etc. The idea is that tax is applied when money moves and for property tax, as opposed to just appluting tax in 1 area, which would dissuade that activity. Taxes also mold societies behavior, if 1 act was taxed then the gov couldn't do that.

[happythoughts 0]

Quote

Yowza! I've been out of the loop for a few days on news; and when I saw this was floored. All I can say is WTF?

Thought a person actually had to accomplish something to win this.

I think that people are too anxious about this.
The committee always lists the accomplishments of the recipient.

People need to calm down a little. A feeling of calm and
a general consensus of direction are part of the list.
Let's not undermine an accomplishment. Feelings are important.

He took office on Jan 20th. He was nominated before the Feb 1st deadline.

[Lucky... 0]

Quote

Quote

Yowza! I've been out of the loop for a few days on news; and when I saw this was floored. All I can say is WTF?

Thought a person actually had to accomplish something to win this.

I think that people are too anxious about this.
The committee always lists the accomplishments of the recipient.

People need to calm down a little. A feeling of calm and
a general consensus of direction are part of the list.
Let's not undermine an accomplishment. Feelings are important.

He took office on Jan 20th. He was nominated before the Feb 1st deadline.

As well I would think an American would be proud of another American's victory. I guess some Americans have a different idea of patriotism.

[metalslug 36]

Quote

As well I would think an American would be proud of another American's victory. I guess some Americans have a different idea of patriotism.

Many Africans were proud of Caster Semenya's victory in the IAAF 800m, but was she really the deserved winner?
Some notable politicians openly labeled those who questioned her victory as "unpatriotic".
Patriotism should be tempered with objective reasoning. Some American ideas on patriotism seem preferable to some African ideas on patriotism.

[jcd11235 0]

"In a rare public defense of a process normally shrouded in secrecy, four of the Nobel jury's five judges spoke out this week about a selection they said was both merited and unanimous.

To those who say a Nobel is too much too soon in Obama's young presidency, 'We simply disagree ... He got the prize for what he has done,' committee chairman Thorbjorn Jagland told The Associated Press by telephone from Strasbourg, France, where he was attending meetings of the Council of Europe.
…
Jagland said that was never an issue for the Nobel committee, which followed the guidelines set forth by Alfred Nobel, the Swedish industrialist and inventor of dynamite who established the prize in his 1895 will.

'Alfred Nobel wrote that the prize should go to the person who has contributed most to the development of peace in the previous year,' Jagland said. 'Who has done more for that than Barack Obama?'"

Nobel jury speaks out in defense of Obama prize

Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

[klingeme 1]

Quote

Are Libertarians also not allowed to comment on the Oscars?

Hey, it's their Oscar, they can give it to Yor, Hunter from the Future if they want, right?

Give me a break.

In response to the Nobel Peace Prize award, the Oscar for this years best picture will be awarded for a movie that hasn't been made yet, but promises to be a GREAT movie.

[wmw999 2,452]

And in the news from the boonies, there was a letter to the editor in today's Houston Chronicle indicating that the writer thought that George W. Bush deserved the Peace Prize more because of his Peace Through Strength initiative.

That's right up there with "beatings will continue until morale improves." Not that strength is bad, but you can't really bomb people into peace. You can bomb them into submission (maybe), but that's a whole different thing.

To me, peace is primarily self-sustaining. Submission requires a restraining force.

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[kelpdiver 2]

Quote

And in the news from the boonies, there was a letter to the editor in today's Houston Chronicle indicating that the writer thought that George W. Bush deserved the Peace Prize more because of his Peace Through Strength initiative.

wasn't that Reagan, or did Bush do this as Veep?

[kelpdiver 2]

Quote

Let's not undermine an accomplishment. Feelings are important.

This is the problem that has invaded our schools. Feelings are as important as actual achievement, somehow.

[wmw999 2,452]

Reagan had that, and Bush I did some talking around it. But the brain scientist who wrote that email was alluding to GWB

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[kelpdiver 2]

Quote

Quote

California, for one. You pay 2% of the car's value each year, plus the fixed fees. This 2% gets discounted gradually over the life of the car, but it's certainly a property tax.

If you don't register the car, is the tax still applied? How is the tax termed? Is it vehicle license fee, excise tax, property tax?

What they call it is irrelevant. It's still a property tax. If you go to Cal (UC Berkeley), you don't pay "tuition," but you still pay thousands in "fees."

So if you never intend to take your vehicle off your private property, you can forego registration. However, if you don't register it as "no-op," (which doesn't charge the 2%, just the fixed fees), then if you ever decide to register it again later, you'll have to pay substantial back penalties.

[Lucky... 0]

Quote

And in the news from the boonies, there was a letter to the editor in today's Houston Chronicle indicating that the writer thought that George W. Bush deserved the Peace Prize more because of his Peace Through Strength initiative.

That's right up there with "beatings will continue until morale improves." Not that strength is bad, but you can't really bomb people into peace. You can bomb them into submission (maybe), but that's a whole different thing.

To me, peace is primarily self-sustaining. Submission requires a restraining force.

Wendy P.

Are you serious? They are so out of touch, they may go the way of the Whig, every time I read more delluded babble I think that.

[Lucky... 0]

Quote

What they call it is irrelevant. It's still a property tax.

In the sake of this argument I agree that it is irrelevant, but in the context of correct labeling I think it's relevant.

Quote

If you go to Cal (UC Berkeley), you don't pay "tuition," but you still pay thousands in "fees."

Considering 80% of a student's tuition is paid by the state I think calling the student's portion tuition is incorrect.

Quote

So if you never intend to take your vehicle off your private property, you can forego registration. However, if you don't register it as "no-op," (which doesn't charge the 2%, just the fixed fees), then if you ever decide to register it again later, you'll have to pay substantial back penalties.

IOW's you won't have to pay this so-called property tax if you follow the rules, so tags on a car are not a property tax, they're a user fee. Of course you'll argue that, but follow the rules, park teh car and deregister and have no so-called property tax. As I said....

[DougH 270]

Quote

Either way, as I stated, money is taxed when it moves and for things like property tax, tolls, etc.

Tell that to the shareholders of Microsoft.

"The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall"
=P

[Lucky... 0]

Quote

Quote

Either way, as I stated, money is taxed when it moves and for things like property tax, tolls, etc.

Tell that to the shareholders of Microsoft.

Right, when you cash out, if you gain then money moves to your account, it is taxed under capital gains. How is that contrary to what I'm saying? Bizzare.

[DougH 270]

Please tell me for what period of time did Microsoft hold off on declaring dividends. There were no dividends, so E&P stayed with the company and didn't move, right?

This is a seperate concept from the unrealized gain you have with an appreciated security which is realized when you sell it.

"The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall"
=P

[kallend 2,027]

Quote

Quote

Quote

I thought that was moot. Property tax is for real estate.

California, for one. You pay 2% of the car's value each year, plus the fixed fees. This 2% gets discounted gradually over the life of the car, but it's certainly a property tax.

If you don't register the car, is the tax still applied? How is the tax termed? Is it vehicle license fee, excise tax, property tax?

Either way, as I stated, money is taxed when it moves and for things like property tax, tolls, etc.

I don't think tolls are taxes. If I drive over someone else's bridge, I'm just paying for the activity. No different than paying to watch someone's NFL football game.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[kelpdiver 2]

Quote

I don't think tolls are taxes. If I drive over someone else's bridge, I'm just paying for the activity. No different than paying to watch someone's NFL football game.

The key difference is that the toll is based on the activity. Everyone pays $4 to cross the Bay Bridge. (Well, every two axle vehicle).

The property tax is based on value, not use. Car taxes in CA are this way. It's not based on weight, which could have a fairness aspect wrt use - heavier vehicles impact the infrastructure more than light ones. But that's not how we do it here.

[kallend 2,027]

Quote

Quote

I don't think tolls are taxes. If I drive over someone else's bridge, I'm just paying for the activity. No different than paying to watch someone's NFL football game.

The key difference is that the toll is based on the activity. Everyone pays $4 to cross the Bay Bridge. (Well, every two axle vehicle).

The property tax is based on value, not use. Car taxes in CA are this way. It's not based on weight, which could have a fairness aspect wrt use - heavier vehicles impact the infrastructure more than light ones. But that's not how we do it here.

Nor in IL, although heavy trucks pay more (as they should, since road damage goes as the cube of axle weight)

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[rhaig 0]

Quote

"In a rare public defense of a process normally shrouded in secrecy, four of the Nobel jury's five judges spoke out this week about a selection they said was both merited and unanimous.

To those who say a Nobel is too much too soon in Obama's young presidency, 'We simply disagree ... He got the prize for what he has done,' committee chairman Thorbjorn Jagland told The Associated Press by telephone from Strasbourg, France, where he was attending meetings of the Council of Europe.
…
Jagland said that was never an issue for the Nobel committee, which followed the guidelines set forth by Alfred Nobel, the Swedish industrialist and inventor of dynamite who established the prize in his 1895 will.

'Alfred Nobel wrote that the prize should go to the person who has contributed most to the development of peace in the previous year,' Jagland said. 'Who has done more for that than Barack Obama?'"

Nobel jury speaks out in defense of Obama prize

so they said he got the prize for "what he has done", and they're following the guidelines that say the prize should be awarded to "the person who has contributed most to the development of peace in the previous year"

So does "in the previous year" mean in the last calendar year (2008) or in the last 12 months before the award was given? I'm thinking not the latter because 2/3 of that was after the nominations were due. So if it was the former, what happened in 2008 besides the election?

--
Rob

[kallend 2,027]

Quote

Quote

"In a rare public defense of a process normally shrouded in secrecy, four of the Nobel jury's five judges spoke out this week about a selection they said was both merited and unanimous.

To those who say a Nobel is too much too soon in Obama's young presidency, 'We simply disagree ... He got the prize for what he has done,' committee chairman Thorbjorn Jagland told The Associated Press by telephone from Strasbourg, France, where he was attending meetings of the Council of Europe.
…
Jagland said that was never an issue for the Nobel committee, which followed the guidelines set forth by Alfred Nobel, the Swedish industrialist and inventor of dynamite who established the prize in his 1895 will.

'Alfred Nobel wrote that the prize should go to the person who has contributed most to the development of peace in the previous year,' Jagland said. 'Who has done more for that than Barack Obama?'"

Nobel jury speaks out in defense of Obama prize

so they said he got the prize for "what he has done", and they're following the guidelines that say the prize should be awarded to "the person who has contributed most to the development of peace in the previous year"

So does "in the previous year" mean in the last calendar year (2008) or in the last 12 months before the award was given? I'm thinking not the latter because 2/3 of that was after the nominations were due. So if it was the former, what happened in 2008 besides the election?

Isn't getting Bush, Cheney, and their look-alikes out of the White House enough?

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[jcd11235 0]

Quote

So does "in the previous year" mean in the last calendar year (2008) or in the last 12 months before the award was given?

I interpreted it to mean the 12 months prior to the award being given, but the article didn't specify, and the criteria are not widely publicized.

Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!