HMM..........you would think a constitutional lawyer would know this.

Well, the award does come with a $1.4 million prize. As the news article points out, Pres. Obama can't even give that to charity in his name since that would give him a huge tax break.

As far as the title of "Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize" I'd say that this was actually better than the title of "Sir" or "Lord" since so very few people actually receive the award. For instance you could use it to boost your reputation and status. Looking at it that way I'm sure even the medal they give out would have to receive the blessing of Congress. We'll just have to wait and see what Congress says.

I've been calling shenanigans every since he won that award. Something smells fishy in this whole nobel prize thing. Nice to see that people are researching this matter further.

Since when has the Constitution bothered Obama?

Or his cabinet?

AND his Czars.

Russia never had this many Czars in their entire history.

I'm going to agree with ZombieOctopus. I don't think king, prince or foreign state applies to the people that give out the prize without a lot of stretching.

Originally posted by dbates
Well, the award does come with a $1.4 million prize. As the news article points out, Pres. Obama can't even give that to charity in his name since that would give him a huge tax break.

As far as the title of "Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize" I'd say that this was actually better than the title of "Sir" or "Lord" since so very few people actually receive the award. For instance you could use it to boost your reputation and status. Looking at it that way I'm sure even the medal they give out would have to receive the blessing of Congress. We'll just have to wait and see what Congress says.

It isn't a legal title though, I believe that's what the amendment means, like it does in Canada.

For instance, you don't get; "Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize", on your drivers license or anything else. If you're knighted, you're then legally Sir John Smith.

Interesting...
Wikipedia says that the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by a comittee of 5 Norwegians. I guess that would make it a gift from a state.

However, what of the other Presidents who have won it while in office in the past?
Perhaps this rule was overlooked in the past since the actual acheivement was big and important enough for the people to accept and understand why their leader got an award?

As much as I think its a joke that he won the award, I don't think there's a strong constitutional argument to be made against it. He wasn't given that award by a foreign government, but by a private committee and as such, I don't think that clause applies.

Then again...hold that thought for a moment. I suppose I'll have to edit this to say that if the Norwegian government appoints the members of the committee, as others have stated, then the issue is much more complicated and there *may* be a legal case here.



[edit on 15-10-2009 by vor78]

I dont think anyone would make a legal arguement against him receiving the award...but still would be something worth resolving

These laws applied before Bush, (BB), its all changed now.

Its whatever they want it to be.

OMG the US government not following the constitution? OMG this can't be!
Come on guys, Amerika hasn't followed the constitution for at least 100 years, probably longer... As Bush said, "It's just a piece of paper"...

I'm going to say that it doesn't much matter.

I don't much care about a noise violation ticket if my house is on fire. There are much more pressing matters.

What Emolument, Office, or Title do you think he has received? He has received only an award as far as I know. Or is price the correct word?