Barack Obama

"To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."

 

Why do you think US President Barack Obama was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize?  Here are some answers to that question to consider. You may agree with some, or you may not. 

Here is what the Nobel Prize Committee stated when the award was presented to President Obama. 

Links
Read President Obama's official biography

Glance at a photo of Barack Obama as a child,

Listen to all of Barack Obama's Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech. 

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"We must begin by acknowledging the hard truth that we will not eradicate violent conflict in our lifetimes. There will be times when nations - acting individually or in concert - will find the use of force not only necessary but morally justified ... Where force is necessary, we have a moral and strategic interest in binding ourselves to certain rules of conduct. And even as we confront a vicious adversary that abides by no rules, I believe that the United States of America must remain a standard bearer in the conduct of war. That is what makes us different from those whom we fight. That is a source of our strength. That is why I prohibited torture. That is why I ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed. And that is why I have reaffirmed America's commitment to abide by the Geneva Conventions. We lose ourselves when we compromise the very ideals that we fight to defend. And we honor those ideals by upholding them not just when it is easy, but when it is hard." - Barack Obama