At Least 51 People Dead After Monstrous Oklahoma Tornado, 120+ Injured

Watch Live Local Coverage of Tornado Aftermath

Business

Debt, Neo-Nazis, Rising Tensions: European Union Wins the Nobel Peace Prize

Oct. 12, 2012 9:55am Becket Adams

Despite Debt Crisis, EU Wins Nobel Peace Prize

A demonstration in Madrid against the Spanish government's cutbacks (AP)

The European Union won the Nobel Peace Prize despite the Norwegian prize jury’s warning Friday that the financial crisis challenging the bloc’s unity could lead to a return to “extremism and nationalism.”

The award was hailed at the EU headquarters in Brussels and by pro-EU government leaders across Europe, but derided by “euroskeptics” who consider the EU incapable of addressing its most pressing crises.

European unity, as we’re sure you know, is being threatened by a debt crisis that has stirred deep tensions between north and south, caused unemployment to soar, and sent hundreds of thousands of its citizens into the streets to protest tax hikes and job cuts.

The bloc’s financial disarray is threatening the euro — the common currency used by 17 of its members — and even the structure of the union itself. The debt crisis is also fueling the rise of extremist movements such as Golden Dawn in Greece. The party, which opponents brand as neo-Nazi, has soared in popularity as Greece sinks deeper into a debt-fueled morass.

“We do not have a position on how to solve these problems, but we send a very strong message that we should keep in mind why we got this Europe after World War II,” Nobel committee chairman Thorbjoern Jagland told The Associated Press.

“And that we should do everything we can to safeguard it, not let it disintegrate and let the extremism and nationalism grow again, because we know what catastrophes that all this leads to,” he said. “If the euro starts falling apart, then I believe that the internal market will also start falling apart. And then obviously we get new nationalism in Europe. … This is not a good scenario.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the Nobel committee had made a “wonderful decision,” and linked it to efforts to salvage the euro even though the judges didn’t mention the common currency, specifically.

“I often say the euro is more than only a currency. We shouldn’t forget this in these weeks and months in which we work for the strengthening of the euro,” Merkel told reporters at the Chancellery in Berlin. She said the euro “has always and primarily been about the original idea of Europe as a community of peace and values.”

Youth clash with riot police officers, unseen, in Nanterre, outside Paris, Monday Oct.18, 2010 (AP)

Strong reactions to the choice for the $1.2 million award crackled Friday over social media.

“The EU is an unique project that replaced war with peace, hate with solidarity. Overwhelming emotion for awarding of (hash)Nobel prize to EU,” Martin Schulz, president of the European Parliament, wrote in a tweet.

“Nobel prize for the EU. At a time Brussels and all of Europe is collapsing in misery. What next? An Oscar for Van Rompuy?” said Dutch euro-skeptic lawmaker Geert Wilders, referring to Herman Van Rompuy, president of the European Council.

Normally, the prize committee either honors lifetime achievement, like when longtime peace mediator Martti Ahtisaari won in 2008, or promotes a work in progress, such as the 1994 award to Yasser Arafat (yes, that Yasser Arafat), Shimon Peres, and Yitzhak Rabin, which was meant to boost Mideast peace efforts, or President Obama winning the prize despite having accomplished nothing as president.

Oh, also, there was that time they awarded Mikhail Gorbachev (as opposed to President Ronald Reagan or Pope John Paul II) the peace prize “for his leading role in the peace process which today characterizes important parts of the international community.” Oh, yeah, and Al Gore won too. So there’s that.

Students clash with police during a demonstration in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011 (AP)

Anyway, regardless of what you think of the committee’s choices, this year’s award is intended to honor lifetime achievement and promote a work in progress.

Jagland told AP it “looks backward as well as forward” by recognizing the EU’s historical role in building peace, but it does so at a time when nationalist forces that once tore the continent apart are again on the rise.

Jagland said it was up to the EU to decide who should come to the prize ceremony in Oslo on Dec. 10, the anniversary of prize founder Alfred Nobel’s death in 1896.

The EU has been seen as possible candidate for the Nobel for many years, and the members of the committee had previously praised the community’s significance as a promoter of peace and democracy in Europe.

Ironically, skepticism against the EU runs high in oil-rich Norway, which is not a member and where popular opinion is firmly against membership. Norwegian voters rejected joining the EU twice, in 1972 and 1994.

Follow Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) on Twitter

The Associated Press contributed to this report. This story has been updated.

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (53)

Individualism
Posted on October 12, 2012 at 5:54pm
sucks Greece got the neo nazis instead of the liberty movement emerging in the US.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
762x51
Posted on October 12, 2012 at 4:37pm
Just like the lame stream media, the Nobel Peace Prize has become a political joke. Who could possibly take them seriously anymore?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- nzkiwi
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 5:50pm
  Exactly.
  
  What started as a wonderful institution to recognise mankind’s greatest contributors in the advancement of civilisation has been subverted and trivialised by socialists. It has, as you say, become a joke.
  
  Similarly, the United Nations was formed with the highest minded of ideals and aspirations. It is now a VIP lounge for thieves and murderers. Its very existence is a threat to civilised nations…
  
  Report this comment
- RabidPatriot
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 7:58pm
  I wonder which Nobel Peace Prize winner has caused the most deaths. Europe would probably be in the lead with all of its wars and crusades, followed by Woodrow Wilson WWI, Barack Obama and then maybe Yasser Arafat. Maybe even the U.N. with the lack of enforcement or through propping up vicious dictators. Lots of people died when the U.N. oil for food scam was funneling money to Saddam Hussein.
  
  Report this comment
Watermain
Posted on October 12, 2012 at 2:12pm
So who gets the money? Spain? Greece? Italy? Portugal? They all need it. What a joke. The EU should be so proud to be on the same level as our own president.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
klawson8719
Posted on October 12, 2012 at 1:12pm
I would love to get everyone’s opinion on this: Will The Election Results Cause Massive Riots To Erupt All Over America? (Click on link and read the article and let me know what you think. I think it has a high percentage of likely happening)
http://thelawsonpost.com/will-the-election-results-cause-massive-riots-to-erupt-all-over-america/

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Patriot Z
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 11:04pm
  if that happens it will and must go straight to civil war. otherwise the govt will declare martial law. the true patriots must take back our country by any and all means. there can be no tolerance for these people as they will destroy everything we have for their own selfishness. take up arms and prepare to water the tree of liberty with blood!
  
  Report this comment
Chromo200
Posted on October 12, 2012 at 1:10pm
Next year they can choose from the following:
Assad from Syria
Michelle for for her great contribution in forced improved nutrition
Morsi .. president of Egypt for wanting to change the Camp David Accord.
The shooter of the 14 year old Pakistani girl for exercising his freedom of expression.
The group that attacked the Consulate in Libya to bring to light the oppression of the west on the
Arabs and specially the muslims.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
MasterJoshua7
Posted on October 12, 2012 at 1:05pm
This is stupid. This prize means nothing now. How sad.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Silversmith
Posted on October 12, 2012 at 12:47pm
This award holds no value any more. It’s payola, graft, politicized. The Peace prize has become the Piece _ _ prize.

What a pity that all that was once good and true becomes corrupt.

Silversmith

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Brainmuffin
Posted on October 12, 2012 at 12:36pm
The students in Europe show they cannot do math either.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Government_Goodies
Posted on October 12, 2012 at 12:32pm
If there was any doubt that the Nobel Prize was right up there with Honey-Boo-Boo, then this erases it. All the world wars begin in Europe. Looks like WWIII is right around the corner. What a lame set of people.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Watermain
Posted on October 12, 2012 at 12:15pm
Makes one wonder who really picks the recipients for the Nobel Peace prize. The EU, Obama, really?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
thegoldman
Posted on October 12, 2012 at 11:26am
Still blowing bubbles…..

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
dadadadio
Posted on October 12, 2012 at 11:12am
Shame, the Nobel prize committee has made itself irrelevant, probably starting with the award to Yassir Arafat; Al Gore and B.O. just sealed the deal. Old Alfred must be rolling in his grave.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- alex242004
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 1:29pm
  Try starting with Jimmy Carter who like Zero should not deserve the prize
  
  Report this comment
klawson8719
Posted on October 12, 2012 at 11:08am
Did you guys hear about Defense Secretary Panetta’s warning of cyber attacks that can take down our power grids and shut down our water supplies? Click link below, he made the statement yesterday. Maybe The Blaze can investigate this more

Defense Secretary Panetta: WARNS of ‘Cyber Pearl Harbour’ “Attacks That Can Take Down Our Power Grid” “READ/WATCH” http://thelawsonpost.com/defence-secretary-panetta-warns-of-cyber-pearl-harbour-attacks-that-can-take-down-our-power-grid-readwatch/

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- DisposableWorker
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 6:51pm
  Sounds to me like Leon and his ilk are getting ready to “take down the grid”; so they can take over the country just before elections.
  
  Report this comment
woodyee
Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:35am
I think that if anyone deserves to get a Nobel, it would be Koko, the first ape to have been taught and used the universal sign language.

Why not? Whereas the EuroUnion (yes, you can say Urination) is not a person, Koko is a living creature, and somewhat intelligent, much like our president, who also “won” a Nobel, but who does NOT speak a universal language.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:50am
  That post made me think of a Michael Crichton book, and movie. But danged if I could find the scene that I was looking for. So, here is the trailer.
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuR7npPcdzA
  
  Report this comment
- Zipit
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:58am
  What’s wrong with you people? This prestigious award should serve as “inspiration” to all of us, to become more like Europe! Or just like Europe, or more just like Europe than we already are, or, er, ah!!! Oh what the f-over we are totally screwwwed! Give it to Koko!!!
  
  Report this comment
- Fubared
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 12:00pm
  Congo RJ, good book too.
  
  Report this comment
thegreatcarnac
Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:29am
There is no peace and will not be peace. A peace prize given by any organization is given on false pretenses. The day obama got one was the day the ‘peace prize’ industry jumped-the-shark.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Bobby D
Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:24am
With all the chaos worldwide do any of you believe, as I do, that redistrubution— a ponzi scheme— of wealth from those who earned it, to those at all levels that did not earn it is in play, Hmmm?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
bdandsl
Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:23am
What can you expect from a commitee that gave obama a nobel prize. The world is doomed!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Bobby D
Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:20am
With this award once again O’le Mr. Nobel’s grave has been BLOWN-UP by another disgraceful waste of his name and estate’s money.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:14am
Seems these Nobel prizes are now coming out the the Kremlin. Arafat was trained by KGB as was Gorby.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Cavallo
Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:12am
The Peace Prize is a joke. A sad sick joke.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Walkabout
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:34am
  Gthe gave a piece prize to the engineers of a slow moving train pile up. Just because the Nobel Prize committee cannot extrolate beyond where they will get their next meal does not mean it will not happen.
  
  They have admitted the Prize is “political” & not based on accomplishments.
  
  Report this comment
SpankDaMonkey
Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:10am
.
I should win the prize for keeping the peace between the wife and our 14yr old…

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- The-Monk
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:27am
  Hey Spank…..
  
  Where you been? Missed your posting. : )
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:32am
  Damn Spanky, where have you been for so long?
  LOL, I do know what you mean there with the wife and kid. My son lives at his own place, I just cover his college expenses.
  
  Report this comment
The-Monk
Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:05am
That prize money is going to go a long way solving their financial situations…

Or did they win the Nobel (falling to) Pieces Prize?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:29am
  Hi MONK, good point. I think this is their new selection process.
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRW7pITY5Cg
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:33am
  Hi RJJ,
  
  Was that a Russian bear???? LOL
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:38am
  Hi MONK, Yeah, that is what I thought, and the last one was the Lion King. Think about it.
  
  Report this comment
- Eastinfection
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:47am
  That sounds about right RJ. lol..
  
  Could explain why OWS didn’t win…. thought they had it in the bag?
  
  Report this comment
- Eastinfection
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:50am
  Hey Monk! … lol..
  
  I was thinking more like the Nobel P.O.S. prize :)!
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 11:09am
  EASTINFECTION, Interesting idea there, but I don’t think that the Nobel Selection Committee would even stoop that low, and they are already lower than whale sh/t.
  
  Report this comment
Tigress1
Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:04am
Next year the United Nations will win the Nobel Peace Prize. Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Their agenda is so obvious! (Their agenda is not peace.)

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
blanco5
Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:03am
Well, with the current recipient as well as past ones, this just seals how credible the nobel peace prize is for me!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
biohazard23
Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:00am
Just doubling down on how meaningless the award is after giving it to Dear Leader, eh?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Anonymous T. Irrelevant
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:20am
  It’s been meaningless ever since Jimma Carta was given one.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:34am
  BIOHAZARD23, It should just be called the Hard Line Progressive At Any Cost prize now. Nothing peaceful about it for the last three plus decades.
  
  Report this comment
- biohazard23
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:37am
  I forgot about that one. Ugh, what’s their criteria for awarding the prize? Or is there one in place at all? It would appear that there isn’t and it’s all political whim and fancy in a glorified homecoming king kind of way.
  
  Report this comment
- biohazard23
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:39am
  Morning, RJ!
  
  I’m afraid you’re right, of course. I’m just waiting for Kim Jong Il to get it. You KNOW that’s gotta be coming. They’ll gin up some reason to give it to him.
  
  Report this comment
- biohazard23
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:51am
  **Sorry, I meant his son, although I’m sure of they could dig up the deceased Kim to present him with it, they would.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 12, 2012 at 10:52am
  BIOHAZARD23, Surely you remember when they chose Al Gore over Mother Teresa. LOL, Rush Limbaugh was recommended that year too, but he joked about certainly not being selected.
  As for the selection process, look above for what I thought about that.
  
  Report this comment

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.