Short version: Fuchs is a hardliner in many regards. Like you say, his perspective on this matter stands seperate from the rest of the world (except this one particular country in central Europe), which is why I used to not pay too much attention to folks like him. Bad idea. As it turns out, lots of people support his view, many more than I ever thought possible, depressing as that may be.

The entire thing is a break with 70 years of post-war diplomacy, trying to become a part of Europe again. Adenauer (Brandt) received better treatment in Moscow (Warsaw) than Tsipras did in Brussels/Berlin. From a European Germany straight back to a German Europe in no time at all...

Edit: Habermas offers his take on this matter.

Brandt Brauer Frick - Bop has been added as a related post - related requested by dingens on that post.

Brandt Brauer Frick - Bop has been added as a related post - related requested by dingens on that post.

Caffeine has been added as a related post - related requested by dingens.

The Brandt Brauer Frick Ensemble feat. Emika -- Pretend has been added as a related post - related requested by dingens.

*related=http://videosift.com/video/Caffeine
*related=http://videosift.com/video/The-Brandt-Brauer-Frick-Ensemble-feat-Emika-Pretend

>> ^Ornthoron:
I'm as flustered as the rest of the world by this decision, but as a representative for NorwaySift, I guess it's up to me to defend some of the thinking that is the rationale behind this year's award.
It should be clear to everyone that Obama did not receive this prize for any accomplishments so far. The decision of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee rather fits in with a policy they have pursued from time to time of trying to use the prize to influence current affairs and/or gather momentum for a cause, instead of giving a pat on the shoulder for a job well done. Examples of this are the 1971 award to Willy Brandt, the 1973 award to Henry Kissinger and Lê Ðức Thọ, and the 2007 award to Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Aung San Suu Kyi might also fit into this picture. What's extraordinary this year is that it happens so soon after his inauguration, but I think the committee thought that the time to act was now instead of next year, since the whole world is still anticipating and judging what Obama is going to do. Besides, we can compare to Willy Brandt who received his prize only two years after becoming Chancellor. Obama HAS done some small moves to improve the international climate, such as opening for talks with Iran and his Cairo address. Words CAN be effective, and I suspect the latter has been an important contribution to the committee's decision. Obama's shelving of the eastern european missile shield has also been mentioned, but I don't think that qualifies at all for the Peace Prize. It was more of a reassessment of USA's strategic needs than a call for peace, or if you will a revision of the previous administration's bad strategic decisions.
But my main point is that Obama did not receive the Peace Prize FOR his deeds so far, but rather that his actions symbolize a sentiment that the Nobel Committee want to encourage. Whether their judgment is sound, only time will show. The Nobel Peace Prize has a far from perfect track record, so I won't be surprised if this award turns out to be a mistake. But I think it's too early to tell.


Yeah i buy into this a little.

Still, there are so many people out there who have worked tirelessly towards peace in various countries. Many, many leaders before Obama have done it. Probably done it better too. He's just got a lot of press. What a world.

I'm as flustered as the rest of the world by this decision, but as a representative for NorwaySift, I guess it's up to me to defend some of the thinking that is the rationale behind this year's award.

It should be clear to everyone that Obama did not receive this prize for any accomplishments so far. The decision of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee rather fits in with a policy they have pursued from time to time of trying to use the prize to influence current affairs and/or gather momentum for a cause, instead of giving a pat on the shoulder for a job well done. Examples of this are the 1971 award to Willy Brandt, the 1973 award to Henry Kissinger and Lê Ðức Thọ, and the 2007 award to Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Aung San Suu Kyi might also fit into this picture. What's extraordinary this year is that it happens so soon after his inauguration, but I think the committee thought that the time to act was now instead of next year, since the whole world is still anticipating and judging what Obama is going to do. Besides, we can compare to Willy Brandt who received his prize only two years after becoming Chancellor. Obama HAS done some small moves to improve the international climate, such as opening for talks with Iran and his Cairo address. Words CAN be effective, and I suspect the latter has been an important contribution to the committee's decision. Obama's shelving of the eastern european missile shield has also been mentioned, but I don't think that qualifies at all for the Peace Prize. It was more of a reassessment of USA's strategic needs than a call for peace, or if you will a revision of the previous administration's bad strategic decisions.

But my main point is that Obama did not receive the Peace Prize FOR his deeds so far, but rather that his actions symbolize a sentiment that the Nobel Committee want to encourage. Whether their judgment is sound, only time will show. The Nobel Peace Prize has a far from perfect track record, so I won't be surprised if this award turns out to be a mistake. But I think it's too early to tell.

Best anti-war movie? I'd say so.

The lyrics to the famous 'Kinderlied' which is played over the montage at the beginning of the movie are, in German: Hänschen klein Geht allein In die weite Welt hinein. Stock und Hut Steht im gut, Ist gar wohlgemut. [first verse]

Which, translated, means: Little John He has gone Out to see the world alone Staff and hat, Look at that, He's one happy cat. But his mommy cries a lot Now she has no Johnny got. Fortune find, But you mind, Come back to your kind. Seven years, Joy and tears, John in many lands appears. Then he thought That he ought To go home and got - But now he's no Johnny small, No, he is now big John tall. Tall and tanned, Face and hand. Will they know this man? One, two, three Pass and see, Don't know who this man might be. Even Sis: "Who is this?" Knows not who he is. Then along comes mother dear, Barely sees his eyes so clear, Says: "My son, Welcome home, God bless you my son." [all verses]

Ah, the anxiety induced by a catastrophic world made up entirely of back-stabbers.

Colonel Brandt: What will we do when we have lost the war?
Captain Kiesel: Prepare for the next one.

Kern: Do you believe in God, Sergeant?
Sargeant Steiner: I believe God is a sadist, but probably doesn't even know it.

Captain Stransky: I will show you how a true Prussian officer fights.
Sargeant Steiner: Then I will show you, where the Iron Crosses grow.