Just wondering what choppers think about the event..

I know that throughout history the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievements, it has also been used to give momentum to a set of causes.

And that is why I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations to confront the common challenges of the 21st century.

President Obama awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on the same day as he met with his national security team in the Situation Room talking about troop levels in Afghanistan and whether to send additional troops into the war there. Of course, he has the war in Iraq as well.

But today, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the third president to receive that award.

I loved Obama's faux humility, but I think he should have said no. The really humble thing to do would be to have turned it down and said I appreciate the gesture and I know it is a gesture that is made to Americans and we appreciate that, but I want to wait until I accomplish what I hope to accomplish.

But he couldn't resist taking it. There are so many amusing things about today. One of the wonderful things to think about would be the reaction of William Jefferson Clinton. Bill Clinton is now the only Democratic president in the last 40 years who hasn't gotten a Nobel Peace Prize.

Jimmy Carter, the Democratic president before him got it, his own vice president Al Gore got it, and now the next Democratic president, Barack Obama has gotten it. And so the news, the Bill Clinton household, the explosion — not that he has a big temper or anything — but what it would have been to have been a fly on the wall at the Clinton residence?

No intrest in politics? :O

i dont know much about it but everyone seems surprised ?

I think it´s too early for him to get the prize.
In some years, after he has really achieved something, it would be fine.
But now, it seems not so well thought.

Exactly what i think, not that i have anything against him - but he havent acchieved anything yet, actually he is in war with Afghanistan yet. I belive when mobilizing the forces out if Iraq - they was moved to Afghanistan!

Not much opinion from me except the fact it pisses me off as an american that he got it. Especially with his ridiculous healthcare plan passed

There's quite a stark difference in the types of wars being fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the reasons behind them. Moving the troops from Iraq to Afghanistan is not necessarily a bad thing.

I believe that they did it as kind of like an investment. An early boost of confidence if you will. But having voiced that opinion, I still think it is too early. Down the track in a few years undoubtedly he will have earned it. Which I'm sure he will by the end of his first term.

Surely there were other candidates just as worthy (if not more) of this years nobel peace prize. I think he is the 4th American president to get one. Maybe they just like giving them out to presidents?

Whatever the case, he is a man who is certainly capable of and already done great things. Just getting himself into office sets an important milestone in human history. (I, personally, don't think the idea of a black man getting into office should be held as that big a thing, let alone a 'milestone' in human history, if you know what I mean. I think black and white and all alike should have been treated equal and accepted as such since day one in human history. But that is just the way that history unfolded and it took until 2009 for some of the population to realize that..). So perhaps him just being in office itself brought things closer to reconciliation and peace. Remember the rationale behind why he got the peace prize: "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples". The last part of 'cooperation between peoples' certainly reflects Obama. Obama getting into office brings to realization fellow nobel peace prize laureate Martin Luther King Jr's dream of civil rights and equality of 50 years ago.

Some say he should have turned it down. That would be very humbling to see a man turn down the noble peace prize imo. But if he didn't accept think about the differing impression that would give: here would be the president of america turning away the biggest accolade of 'peace'. It would be like him saying no to peace. And in a way it'd be political suicide in the sense that it would be him saying 'thanks, but i really haven't done anything so far to deserve it'.

Whatever the case I'm hoping Obama brings to fruition all that he hopes to achieve (as in doing so he will have earned the prize). I'm sure he will. At least certainly he is a far greater human being and more capable than his earlier Bush counterpart.

Bloody well said Mark

+1. Well said!

Any other opinions?

@JM - well, to be honest, you cant say its a good thing or a bad thing - we dont know.