Swedish professor nominates Edward Snowden for the Nobel Peace Prize...

[Indi Guy]

Source: Daily Mail



...In a letter addressed to the Norwegian Nobel Committee and published in Swedish newspaper Västerbottens-Kuriren, Professor Stefan Svallfors nominated Snowden for his 'heroic effort at great personal cost' shedding light on the expansive cyber-spying conducted by the U.S. National Security Agency.

Because of his bravery, Snowden 'helped to make the world a little bit better and safer,' Svallfors wrote.

A nomination for Snowden would be symbolic because it shows 'that individuals can stand up for fundamental rights and freedoms.'

Svallfors compares Snowden's act to the rulings in the Nuremberg trials of 1945 because 'I was just following orders' was not held as a viable excuse for the Nazis who carried out human rights atrocities...

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2363191/Edward-Snowden-nominated-Nobel-Peace-Prize-Swedish-Professor.html

[Cleita]

1. If he got it, it would be ironic considering Obama, who is gunning for him

got one too.

[JimDandy]

33. Ironic indeed. Snowden earned his nomination through action.

Obama didn't earn his period and acknowledged that himself:

"Obama said he viewed the decision (to award him the Nobel Peace Prize) less as a recognition of his own accomplishments and more as "a call to action."

The Nobel committee essentially acknowledged that they awarded the prize to Obama based on the nebulous concept of him being "hope for a better future".

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/09/nobel.peace.prize/index.html

Hope for a better future is trumped, in every way, by action that betters the present.

Snowden didn't need a Nobel prize to recognize, and answer, the "call to action" demanded by the over-reaching of the United States of Surveillance.

[Tx4obama]

43. What a load of BS you've got there.

A big part of why they gave Obama the Nobel Prize was because of his efforts on nuclear disarmament/non-proliferationhe - Obama began that while he was still a U.S. Senator. Btw, President Obama donated ALL of the $1,000,000+ prize money to charity!

The Nobel Peace Prize for 2009

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 is to be awarded to President Barack Obama for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples. The Committee has attached special importance to Obama's vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.

Obama has as President created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play. Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts. The vision of a world free from nuclear arms has powerfully stimulated disarmament and arms control negotiations. Thanks to Obama's initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting. Democracy and human rights are to be strengthened.

Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future. His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population.

For 108 years, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has sought to stimulate precisely that international policy and those attitudes for which Obama is now the world's leading spokesman. The Committee endorses Obama's appeal that "Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges."

Oslo, October 9, 2009

http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2009/press.html

[caseymoz]

46. Has he followed this up with significant reductions since?

In fact, were any reductions made then? How many other people worked on nuclear disarmament besides Obama? Whatever was done was not done under the Bush Administration, who took us out of the ABM Treaty.

Obama has as President created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play. Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts. . .

I'm sorry, to me that sounds like a thank you for defeating the Republicans in 2008. The opposites of those, unilateralism-- eschewing the UN and other international institutions-- and resorting to force rather than dialog, those were all policies of the Bush Administration.

Moreover, they can't be thanking him for nuclear reduction, because there definitely wasn't any. I'm certain he mentioned a nuclear-free world, but they definitely didn't list his achievements in nuclear reduction after that sentence. Was he given the prize for his sentiments?

No, I think the prize was awarded on hopes and best expectations. And the thanks turned out to be premature.

I'd call his accomplishments on nuclear arms modest, but I grade on a curve there, because the Bush Administration's actions left it in such a mess, it's almost impossible to put the genie back in the bottle.

It was great of him to give the prize to charity, (I am curious as to which ones) but like the Bush's, the Kennedy's, and the Clintons, the Obamas are never going to be short of money now. He does know what lower and middle class people know: that above a certain amount of money, it doesn't matter how much you have.

[Tx4obama]

47. A link below

Here's a good place to start your research: http://search.whitehouse.gov/search?affiliate=wh&query=nuclear&submit.x=0&submit.y=0&form_id=usasearch_box

A must see video...

ONE of Maddow's segments regarding the issue: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/rachel-maddow-show/51436498#51436498

[ronnie624]

56. You should read the article you posted. n/t

[yurbud]

34. I think Obama's was more a thank you to America for safely removing Bush from office

[Tx4obama]

44. See Comment #43 for the truth. n/t

[yurbud]

59. I am glad you're right.

[brooklynite]

72. Care to provide evidence that anyone is "gunning" for Snowden?

Last I heard, criminal charges were filed, and legal efforts to have him extradited for trial were being carried out. Did I miss something?

[Cleita]

73. Apparently you already have proof through your own statement.

Quit the bullshit parsing of words. You know it's a well used figure of speech. I meant charges have been filed against him, not to mention the harassment of revoking his passport and not letting him reach his destination. These actions by the State Dept. donot speak of love and kisses.

[brooklynite]

74. Not around here, it's not...

I've seen allegations that the US Government would like to bump him off. I've seen FASCISM, TOTALITARIANISM and POLICE STATE thrown around. I've seen references to DRONES. Sorry, but unless you have any evidence that the US is doing anything other than what it's extradition treaties allow it to do, I'd modulate the language.

But I'm not getting my hopes up.

[Waiting For Everyman]

3. I was thinking yesterday about how heads were going to explode if this should happen.

Good for the Professor.

[Autumn]

4. I hope he wins.

recommended

[another_liberal]

5. The prize would be justly deserved.

It is not likely, however, that Mr. Snowden will get to Stockholm for the awards ceremony.

[Cleita]

6. Yep, considering that he might get the same treatment Julian Assange fears. n/t

[another_liberal]

35. I doubt we would let Snowden even get to Sweden.

His flight from Russia would most likely be surrounded by jet fighters and ordered to land at a U. S. military facility in Poland or Germany. The Swedes wouldn't get a chance to hand him over to us.

[Cleita]

37. That's why he's desperately seeking asylum in Russia.

He knows he can't fly anywhere. It seems even the protocols of diplomatic immunity for a Presidential airplane were violated by our country in the Evo Morales affair.

[another_liberal]

38. I imagine that Moscow airport is swarming with our agents as well.

He couldn't make it out of there in a packing crate labeled, "Danger! Poisonous snakes!"

[Cleita]

50. Did you see all the reporters for his press conference?

You can be sure American, Russian and other agents are there too.

[msanthrope]

75. Maybe Julian Assange could pick it up for him. nt

[another_liberal]

76. In some happier time, perhaps.

They certainly both deserve a Peace Prize for what they've done to try and bring our Imperial War Machine back under the control of the American people.

[xchrom]

7. Du rec.

[frazzled]

8. That's a little odd

Because according to the Nobel Prize organization, nominations are taken from September to February; short list is decided March through May, review June through August, laureates chosen in October, award ceremony December.



So you can't really submit a nomination for next year until September, and no later than February. Maybe he meant he MEANS to submit a nomination.

Anyways, I'm sure he'll win, just like Bradley Manning and Julian Assange have. This year had 259 nominees ... so few to choose from.

[Autumn]

14. Right. That was explained in the article.

[treestar]

41. A mere attention getting ploy

[Katashi_itto]

9. The Question is will certain anti-Snowden types here on DU

spend every 15 mins posting how terrible Snowden is now, rather than every hour or so.

[bvar22]

10. Congrats to the Whistle Blower.

He is certainly more worthy than some of the past recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Of course, this WILL make some Pro-Government Secrecy Royalist heads explode to my personal delight.

[Thinkingabout]

11. What has Edward performed in promoting peace, absolutely nothing. He is not on he is not even

Making a mark on the level of Mandela, a man who spent 25 years in prison. Jimmy Carter lives his Nobel Peace award every day of his life. Mother Teresa gave her life to helping others. Martin Luther King worked to promoted non violence approach, was arrested and served his time in jail. With the actions Snowden has selected has nothing to do with peace or even promoting peace. A few thinks he is a hero but that is not a majority for sure. He has lied and continues to remain on the lam, this does not promote peace.

[PSPS]

17. OMG, you're right! Nothing promotes peace more than a surveillance state, right?

[Thinkingabout]

19. Surveillance will continue so what has Snowden done in his life to promote peace, sure wasn't

Serving his time for his crime. If the peace award was going to be given for revealing the surveillance then George W Bush would get the award for revealing this in 2005.

[PSPS]

20. I know! Let's get this guy and embrace our government spying on us! Wahoo!

[Thinkingabout]

21. Now you are talking.

[daleo]

27. I think the Nobel Peace prize includes activity on behalf of human rights

Some people have the quaint belief that human rights includes the right to privacy. I think the U.S. constitution shares this quaint belief.

[Thinkingabout]

30. Are you referring to the belief the right to life? If you have a terrorist to blow you up it will

Not matter if you have "privacy" or not.

[ronnie624]

57. The probability of you dying in a terrorist attack

is infinitesimal in the extreme. You're far more likely to be a victim of cancer, a car wreck or an accident in your own home.

You're a victim of state/corporate propaganda.

[Thinkingabout]

61. The biggest propaganda is coming from those backing Snowden and the cause, I don't fall for their

thoughts they are going to save the world because they now know what most of us knew before 2005.

[daleo]

70. This is the sort of thing the U.S.S.R. Government told their citizens

Security above all. I think Ben Franklin said that a person who valued safety at all cost above liberty would end up with neither.

[Thinkingabout]

71. Yea yea I guess you are an expert on the USSR.

[daleo]

77. I lived through the Cold War

I saw how both sides used propaganda. We often sound like they used to sound. When I was young we claimed to value freedom over mere security.

[Thinkingabout]

78. Like Palin has foreign experience since Russia can be seen from Alaska.

I also lived through the cold war but it does not make me an expert.

[daleo]

80. Nobody claimed to be an expert

Both of us are offering opinions, based on our experience.

I happen to think we are acting in ways for which we used to criticize non-democratic societies. Our own political and intellectual leadership criticized these regimes for placing security above freedom. Now, it seems to me, we are doing the same thing, for example putting the communications of innocent people under constant scrutiny in the name of fighting terrorism.

[Thinkingabout]

81. We do not share the same opinion. If you looked at your phone bill can you tell what the

Conversation was on the call? If you are not involved in calls to terrorists the analyst could care less about who you call or who calls you. Don't take the word of a phone call pervert just look at your bill and ask yourself is there any context of the call recorded, if not then know an analyst does not know either. We need to be reasonable.

[AllINeedIsCoffee]

12. Malala should get it. Not this traitor. nt

[dipsydoodle]

16. I assume that's a joke.

.

[PSPS]

18. I know! What a traitor revealing our surveillance state, right?

[Bigmack]

13. I don't have a vote in this

but if i did, I'd vote for the fellow! As a Dem, I'm not anti-Obama, but I reckon Snowden deserves the Peace Prize more that Obama did. At least Snowden believes in the quaint, out-dated notion that the citizens of a so-called democracy should know what their government is doing. Ms Bigmack

[Kolesar]

54. It's like praying the rosary for you guys

Instead of Hail Marys and Lord's Prayers you substitute your buzzwords expressing how you hate Obama.

[bitchkitty]

60. Where's the hate?

"As a Dem, I'm not anti-Obama..."

Where's the hate? Get over the persecution complex - accusing people of hating when they're clearly not is so Fox News, you know?

[Douglas Carpenter]

15. now that would be a wonderful way to focus attention on the Surveillance State

[Spitfire of ATJ]

22. Ya gotz to admit - Things sure have been peaceful around here.

[Hydra]

23. This would be good

And it will upset a lot of people who are embracing the role that Nuremberg took a stand against- that we should go along with evil because it's expected.

[Ken Burch]

24. Actually, getting NOMINATED for a Nobel Peace Prize isn't really all that impressive

Anybody can nominate anybody. You just have to send a letter nominating whoever you want to see nominated to the Swedish Academy. Some people have probably nominated their cats(not to say the cats couldn't have deserved it, but still...)

This isn't said as a diss to Snowden...just wanted to put the news here in perspective.

[grantcart]

26. Correct. Rush Limbaugh was nominated.

A nomination and a transit token will get you on the subway but not much farther.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/landmark-legal-foundation-nominates-rush-limbaugh-for-2007-nobel-peace-prize-54151562.html

[Major Hogwash]

31. In that case . . .

. . . I will nominate you then.

If for nothing else, just to see you get on stage and say, "Aw, shucks, guys, I don't really deserve it."

[Ken Burch]

32. I'm in. But, please, consider of the cats first.

It would be a much better image to see the nominee nap, eat, or groom himself all through the ceremony.

[muriel_volestrangler]

53. You do have to have a certain position for a formal nomination

• Members of national assemblies and governments of states
• Members of international courts
• University rectors; professors of social sciences, history, philosophy, law and theology; directors of peace research institutes and foreign policy institutes
• Persons who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
• Board members of organizations that have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
• Active and former members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee; (proposals by members of the Committee to be submitted no later than at the first meeting of the Committee after February 1)
• Former advisers to the Norwegian Nobel Committee )

http://www.nobelprize.org/nomination/peace/

As a professor of sociology, Svallfors does qualify. However, the bar can still be very low in some quarters - as a congressman, Louie Gohmert would also qualify.

[former9thward]

58. No -- anybody can't nominate anybody.

Only the following:

Members of national assemblies and governments of states
• Members of international courts
• University rectors; professors of social sciences, history, philosophy, law and theology; directors of peace research institutes and foreign policy institutes
• Persons who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
• Board members of organizations that have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
• Active and former members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee; (proposals by members of the Committee to be submitted no later than at the first meeting of the Committee after February 1)
• Former advisers to the Norwegian Nobel Committee

http://www.nobelprize.org/nomination/peace/

[otohara]

25. Safer World Because of Eddie ... LOL

anti-Americanism is at an all time high in every corner of the world thanks to ES. If anyone thinks other countries don't do the same thing, you're delusional. American's without guns are not safe in America and Ed Snowden has made it so we are not safe anywhere - time to revert back to saying you're Canadian if you travel.

[Indi Guy]

49. Aren't you more concerned with the anti-Americanism clearly demonstrated by the NSA at home...

...rather than that abroad?

[Diclotican]

52. otohara

otohara

I think the last 15 years of american foreign policy - specially the arrogance under GWB jr had more to to make the "anti-americanism" sky high than ES ever would have been able to make it.... If the US want to change its course - and be a player in the international community - I for one miss the pre-bush years when US at least was recognized as a nation of laws - and a country who could do good deeds now and then... Today, it looks like the US are rippling at the seams, with all the nuts coming out of the same seams - and do their best to destroy US as we have known it...

Diclotican

[Progressive dog]

62. I thought we ran the international community

and that's why Snowden can't get asylum in any place he can get to.

and be a player in the international community

Now we aren't even a player.

[Diclotican]

63. Progressive dog

Progressive dog

Snowden will be given asylum somewhere - my guess is in the Latin america area, where US have kind of destroying any reasonable respect they might have had since George W Bush jr got into office.. Not that the rest of the world are to full of respect for the US this days... It is more fear about what the US can do - than respect for US, that is keeping most country in Europe out of getting Snowden an asylum.. Even though I suspect Russia could do it - out of spike if US are not playing her hand right with Putin... He is a shessplayer who I doubt to many want to have a dance with....

At one time the US more or less ran the international community - and the right wingers in the US, do believe US to be the only force to really rule the world - not govern it by laws - but by ruling it as ancient kings ruled their kingdoms and empires... The problem is that most empires have faltered - and the few kindoms who still are around - have kings and queens with Little power out of what is the costume and respect for their parliaments - for the most part they are figurehead without much power - sometimes they do have some regal power as the british Queen have - but that is limited to what the Parliament at West mister want the Queen to have... And it works rather well for the most part - at least in UK

Diclotican

[reformist2]

28. Doesn't he know how unfriendly Snowden was to his neighbors??? And how he abandoned a ballerina???

[Cleita]

36. Maybe he left dancing girl friend because he didn't want her to be in the

middle of the shit storm he was about to create. I would consider him rather considerate for that. My cousin, who ran afoul of the law, left his girl friend too before he knew the law was closing in on him. He also made sure that he severed relations with family as well. After he ended up in prison, I went to visit him and asked him why he did that. He said he didn't want anyone he loved to be associated with what he did because he was solely responsible for what he did.

Of course, we don't know what is really in his head. As far as neighbors, I have several who are not friendly and it's okay with me because frankly I wouldn't want to socialize with them anyway.

[Summer Hathaway]

51. Cracks me up every time I see someone

mention the "unfriendly neighbor" or the "abandoned ballerina".

What cracks me up about it is that it's only pro-Snowden types who post it.

I realize it is a rather pathetic attempt to imply that the Snowden non-fans are the ones interested in such trivial BS - but it's rather obvious, dontcha think?

Don't take my word for it - do a site search. You'll find that it's only the Snow-jobbed who post this nonsense over and over.

[reformist2]

55. I love running tired old jokes into the ground. :)

[cantbeserious]

29. The USA Cheerleading Squad Will Soon Expire From Exploding Heads

eom

[Laelth]

39. k&r for exposure. n/t

-Laelth

[blkmusclmachine]

40. I've heard that they're just giving away the NPP anymore.

Anyone can get one.

[Fumesucker]

42. Henry Kissinger got a Peace Prize

It never felt the same after that.

[DeSwiss]

48. Pretty much.....

[MADem]

45. Anyone can be nominated for the Nobel...anyone at all.

Bill Clinton, Bill Gates and the President of Tunisia have also been nominated.

[Indi Guy]

64. To name a few more...

• Theodore Roosevelt
  
• Cordell Hull
  
• Martin Luther King Jr.
  
• Andrei Sakharov
  
• Amnesty International
  
• Mohamed Anwar al-Sadat and Menachem Begin
  
• Mother Teresa
  
• Lech Walesa
  
• International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
  
• Elie Wiesel
  
• The 14th Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso)
  
• Nelson Mandela
  
• International Campaign to Ban Landmines
  
• Jimmy Carter...

[MADem]

65. The ones I was naming are up for the prize this year!

I don't know if they'll get it....they're just "in the running."

[Indi Guy]

66. Seems like their's quite a crop to choose from this year...

A record 259 nominees are in the running for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize — 209 individuals and 50 organisations — with the laureate to be announced in October, the Nobel Institute said on Monday.

The list is known to include Malala Yousafzai, the shot Pakistani schoolgirl-turned-icon of Taliban resistance, ex-Eastern bloc activists, and former US president Bill Clinton...

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/03/04/2013-nobel-peace-prize-draws-a-record-259-nominees/

[MADem]

68. I'd be so proud if that kid was my daughter or granddaughter!

I loved her speech; I loved her fire, and I loved her "Fuck You Fundy Assholes" attitude!

I would be overjoyed if they gave it to her.

[Pterodactyl]

67. Considering the recent winners, the prize is meaningless to me.

[Freddie Stubbs]

69. Seems a bit premature, if you ask me

[Blandocyte]

79. I'm hoping to win one playing ring toss at the carnival this weekend

Woot!