Obama Awarded 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.

[Jiro]

Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson got the prize while they were presidents but I don't think they were under the same rules back then.

 

[Beowulf]

Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson got the prize while they were presidents but I don't think they were under the same rules back then.

Rules? What rules? Enlighten me.

 

[Reba]

Please stop trying so hard to tie it with his Presidency. It's based on his past time as community leader and Senator and probably Presidential candidate.

How does being a community organizer and political campaigner influence world peace? Surely he had to do more than that to qualify?

 

[Jiro]

Rules? What rules? Enlighten me.

the financial-related rules

 

[Jiro]

How does being a community organizer and political campaigner influence world peace? Surely he had to do more than that to qualify?

I guess we'll have to sit and wait for facts to unravel

 

[Reba]

Rules? What rules? Enlighten me.

PRESIDENTIAL GIFTS: THEIR HANDLING AND LEGAL STATUS

Foreign Official Gifts

Even though heads of state have traditionally exchanged gifts as expressions of goodwill, the Constitution (Article I, Section 9) prohibits anyone in the US Government from receiving a personal gift from a foreign head of state without the consent of Congress. Today, the handling of gifts from a foreign official to any Federal Government employee, including the President, is largely governed by the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act of 1966 and further legislation passed in 1977. Congress has allowed Federal employees to retain any gift from a foreign government, as long as the total US retail value of the gifts presented at one occasion does not exceed an amount established by the General Services Administration (GSA).[1] Foreign official gifts over this “minimal value” are considered gifts to the people of the United States, which the recipient must purchase from GSA, at fair market value, in order to retain. The White House Gift Unit sees to the disposition of foreign official gifts that the President and First Lady do not retain.

PRESIDENTIAL GIFTS: THEIR HANDLING AND LEGAL STATUS

 

[somedeafdudefromPNW]

Okay... on the side of the Nobel Prize site there was a poll "Did you know about Barack Obama's efforts for a nuclear weapon-free world?"

Can provide screenshot for anyone that want them...

 

[sallylou]

Obama was editor in chief of the Harvard Law Review. He could have easily joined any of the most prestigious, powerful law firms in the U.S. Instead, he chose to become a community organizer and run for public office. That was a real step down from what he could have achieved and earn as an attorney in a private law firm. He is not wealthy compared to other attorneys in lucrative law firms. He earned some of his money from book sales.

 

[kokonut]

How does being a community organizer and political campaigner influence world peace? Surely he had to do more than that to qualify?

That's what I am wondering, too. What he did was done at the local level more than anything else at the time of his nomination.

 

[sallylou]

The rule quoted in #106 does not apply. The Nobel prize is awarded by a private foundation not a head of state. The foundation manages the assets left by Nobel.

 

[Jiro]

Obama was editor in chief of the Harvard Law Review. He could have easily joined any of the most prestigious, powerful law firms in the U.S. Instead, he chose to become a community organizer and run for public office. That was a real step down from what he could have achieved and earn as an attorney in a private law firm. He is not wealthy compared to other attorneys in lucrative law firms. He earned some of his money from book sales.

he would have followed the money but he didn't because of his wife. I'd say all the credit and passion goes to Michelle Obama and Nobel Peace Prize should have gone to her instead!

 

[Reba]

The rule quoted in #106 does not apply. The Nobel prize is awarded by a private foundation not a head of state. The foundation manages the assets left by Nobel.

So presidents are legally allowed to accept cash gifts from private international foundations, without limitations?

 

[Beowulf]

How does being a community organizer and political campaigner influence world peace? Surely he had to do more than that to qualify?

"Give me some men who are stout-hearted men
Who will fight for the right they adore.
Start me with ten who are stout-hearted men
And I will soon give you ten thousand more."

 

[Reba]

he would have followed the money but he didn't because of his wife. I'd say all the credit and passion goes to Michelle Obama and Nobel Peace Prize should have gone to her instead!

Lots of people choose to serve the public rather than go corporate. That's hardly a reason to get the Peace Prize. I don't think that was the reason Obama was selected.

 

[sallylou]

Reba, apparently so. Most recipients set up foundations. The purpose of the prize money is to further recipients work. For example, Former President Carter has a foundation to advance human rights.

 

[sallylou]

Perhaps it's not. Most of the attorneys who chose public service come from wealthy families. It's easier to chose lower pay when you know that you're well financed. Like the Kennedys.

 

[Reba]

Reba, apparently so. Most recipients set up foundations. The purpose of the prize money is to further recipients work. For example, Former President Carter has a foundation to advance human rights.

Yes, I know about the purpose.

Carter wasn't a sitting President at the time that he got the prize.

 

[Reba]

Perhaps it's not. Most of the attorneys who chose public service come from wealthy families....

Really? Where did you get that information?

I guess the ones I know are the exceptions.

 

[sallylou]

Mostly from my classmates. I had some wealthy classmates in law school. I was on the "live at home and drive a clunker" plan. LOL! Some of my classmates from wealthier families went to the DAs office. Some of them went for political positions or tried to become a judge (elected where I live). The most talent attorney I knew, though, was an older student who lived in a trailer park. She was wicked smart and I always admired her.

Senators are a wealthy bunch, too. Here's a list of wealthy senators. These people have mega bucks.

The 50 Richest Members of Congress (2008) - Roll Call

I'm a totally unsuccessful lawyer because I stayed home with my kids. It was more important for me to be a good mom.

 

[deafskeptic]

he would have followed the money but he didn't because of his wife. I'd say all the credit and passion goes to Michelle Obama and Nobel Peace Prize should have gone to her instead!

I think Obama might agree with you.