Obama Awarded Nobel Peace Prize

obama nobel peace prize President Barack Obama was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize early Friday morning in a shocking decision meant to further prod his efforts to reduce nuclear arms and ease tensions with Muslims.

Those in attendance were stunned by the surprise choice so early in Obama’s presidency, which only began just under 2 weeks prior to the February 1st nomination deadline.

Robert Gibbs, White House Press Secretary, stated that the president awoke to the revelation just before 6 a.m. EDT.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee applauded the shift in worldwide mood brought about by Obama’s calls for peace and cooperation but also recognized efforts that have yet to come to fruition: reducing the world stock of nuclear arms, easing American conflicts with Muslim nations and strengthening the U.S. role in combating climate change.

However, the U.S. is still at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, Congress still hasn’t passed a law lowering carbon emissions and there has been little reduction in nuclear stockpiles worldwide since Obama took office.

The award also seemed to be a slap at President George W. Bush by a committee that criticized him for his largely unilateral military strategy in the wake of the September 11 terror attacks.

The Nobel committee applauded Obama’s fostering of “a new climate in international politics” and said he had returned multilateral diplomacy and institutions like the U.N. to the center of the global arena.