Thread: Obama’s Nobel peace prize unconstitutional?

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

I heard that the people refused it on the grounds that they didn't earn it, so he was forced to give it to charity instead

I didn't know a vote was taken, so there's no way to back that up

Besides, read my last post. He isn't even allowed to ACCEPT it without Congressional approval, and I don't remember hearing they gave him approval to accept it, let alone do with it what HE felt was appropriate.

I think the weak point in the argument here is that the Nobel commitee, though they might be appointed by a foreign governmental body, are NOT in and of themselves, a foreign governmental body. To claim otherwise is a form of piercing that is not justified here, IMHO.

Originally Posted by avatar1999

read my last post

fine. hang on.
Ok...

You say:
"a gift of minimal value"

I say that the nobel peace prize is just that: a gift of minimal value

As for the money - well, since the context is the federal government, I would say anything less than ten billion dollars is a drop in the bucket. I think Obama is within his constitutional bounds here, even if they aren't relevant anymore besides

And what of the fact that the NPP isn't a "gift" at all? It is an award based on (so the claim goes, if my memory serves...I'm not arguiing this point at the moment), his bringing a greater sense of cooperation and multi-lateralism to international politics and relations. This is (again, so they claim) not giving huim $ for what he might do, but AWARDING his efforts to improve international relations.

Right wing whack-nuts VANQUISHED by the power of logic. Do I win?

(there is some tongue in cheek there, I hope you recognize, my right-wing whack-nut friends)

Originally Posted by smokelaw1

I think the weak point in the argument here is that the Nobel commitee, though they might be appointed by a foreign governmental body, are NOT in and of themselves, a foreign governmental body. To claim otherwise is a form of piercing that is not justified here, IMHO.

It makes NO difference who gives it to him. If you read my last post on page 2, you will see that the law says he CANNOT accept a gift of anything but a MINIMAL value without consent of Congress. Foreign government, Lobbyist, Special Interest Group...it doesn't make a lick of difference. And even if he DOES get approval, it becomes property of the United States. NOT him. Not while he is still a public employee.

Oh, I think who gives it to him is a matter that if not settled, one is being intellectually dihonest (or at least lazy) to condseider this matter closed.

Receipt and disposition of foreign gifts and decorations.It does specify that the President is included in this: (b) An employee may not—
(1) request or otherwise encourage the tender of a gift or decoration; or
(2) accept a gift or decoration, other than in accordance with the provisions of subsections (c) and (d).


Do we have a definition of "foreign gift and decoration?"
1) I think I can argue convincingly that this is not a "gift" read MY last post.
2) What is a "decoration?" Is this a title? Is Nobel Prize Winner inside this defnition?
3) What makes it "foreign?" Does a "foreign decoration" need to come from a goevernmental body? If the awarding body is not governmental, is it really a "decoration?"

If obama wins a 2 vs 2 basketball tournament, does he get to keep the trophy?

Originally Posted by smokelaw1

(there is some tongue in cheek there, I hope you recognize, my right-wing whack-nut friends)

Wait, I resemble that remark

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

If obama wins a 2 vs 2 basketball tournament, does he get to keep the trophy?

Yes, but only if he was in the league for more than 12 days before the trophy was handed out.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Wait, I resemble that remark

One of the things I love about this site is the way we can discuss stuff like this, head-in-the-sand bleeding heart liberals and right-wing whack-nuts, hand in hand, being civil, even when we disagree on some pretty major stuff.)

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

fine. hang on.
Ok...

You say:
"a gift of minimal value"

I say that the nobel peace prize is just that: a gift of minimal value

As for the money - well, since the context is the federal government, I would say anything less than ten billion dollars is a drop in the bucket. I think Obama is within his constitutional bounds here, even if they aren't relevant anymore besides

Did you check the link in that post?

"(5) “minimal value” means a retail value in the United States at the time of acceptance of $100 or less, except that— (A) on January 1, 1981, and at 3 year intervals thereafter, “minimal value” shall be redefined in regulations prescribed by the Administrator of General Services, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to reflect changes in the consumer price index for the immediately preceding 3-year period; and
(B) regulations of an employing agency may define “minimal value” for its employees to be less than the value established under this paragraph; and
(6) “employing agency” means— (A) the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct of the House of Representatives, for Members and employees of the House of Representatives, except that those responsibilities specified in subsections (c)(2)(A), (e)(1), and (g)(2)(B) shall be carried out by the Clerk of the House;
(B) the Select Committee on Ethics of the Senate, for Senators and employees of the Senate, except that those responsibilities (other than responsibilities involving approval of the employing agency) specified in subsections (c)(2), (d), and (g)(2)(B) shall be carried out by the Secretary of the Senate;
(C) the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, for judges and judicial branch employees; and
(D) the department, agency, office, or other entity in which an employee is employed, for other legislative branch employees and for all executive branch employees."

I seriously doubt that in the past 28, MINIMAL has gone from $100, to $1M.

Here's an example for ya. in 1980, 1/2 gallon of milk cost on average $.85.

By your standards, a half gallon of milk should cost $8500.00 today based on your definition of minimal.