PEACE PRIZE MAN IS COMIN' TO TOWN

Oslo City Hall

You better watch out.

Ever in the face of those with the temerity to hold up their heads, Obama stepped to the lectern in Oslo to sing his shameless, nuanced version of "Give War a Chance".

Here is the speech, if you can stomach it.

Full text of Obama's Nobel Peace Prize speech:

Here are a few choice stingers fired at the peace prizing audience:

"A nonviolent movement could not have halted Hitler's armies. Negotiations cannot convince al-Qaida's leaders to lay down their arms."


"The United States of America has helped underwrite global security for more than six decades with the blood of our citizens and the strength of our arms.... We have borne this burden not because we seek to impose our will. We have done so out of enlightened self-interest."


"I believe that force can be justified on humanitarian grounds... That is why all responsible nations must embrace the role that militaries with a clear mandate can play to keep the peace."


“The instruments of war do have a role to play in preserving the peace.”

True, each of his bellicose pronouncements were prefaced by some deep thought indicating the opposite, as in "No matter how justified, war promises human tragedy" -- but always trumped by the underlying message: "The belief that peace is desirable is rarely enough to achieve it."

"We must begin by acknowledging the hard truth: 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."


''For make no mistake: Evil does exist in the world...


"Some will kill. Some will be killed....


"I - like any head of state - reserve the right to act unilaterally if necessary to defend my nation."

Hmmm. Where have I heard all this before, if not so "eloquently" stated?

The Prince of Peace buzzed into town to pick up his prize, flaunting normal protocol by cancelling lunch with the king and queen, dinner with the Norwegian Nobel committee, a press conference, a television interview, appearances at a children's event promoting peace and a music concert, as well as a visit to an exhibition in his honour at the Nobel peace centre. Too busy making peace around the world, was he, or attempting to avoid embarrassing questions about exit strategies and drone attacks?


He left behind him an embarrassed, insulted, and often furious population in Oslo, as Copenhagen goes into preventive detention and virtual lockdown, with a thousand already imprisoned -- awaiting his visit.

It ain't Santa that's coming to town next week.