http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/seealso/2010/12/daily_view_the_nobel_prize_for.html

- Does China have a right to whine about a dissident being given the prize? Is it really about the old trick of imposing Western values through promoting dissidents? Interesting one.

It's also interesting to see Saudia Arabia abstain from attending.

Of course they have a right to whine, just as the rest of the world has the right to give them the middle finger.

Beijing is throwing a huge tantrum right now. Most foriegn news is now blocked from TV and the Internet. Plus you have the countries that are too scared of China damaging business ties unless their delegations stay home. Heh, a taste of things to come.....

So now, the rest of the world does not have the right to give China the middle finger as there is no seperating business and politics with these clowns.

Nobel prizes give the winners a measure of autonomy, as the large cash sum involved can allow winners to retire.

the large cash sum involved can allow winners to retire.

1.4 million? That's not much of a retirement these days.

It depends on location and lifestyle. Right now I could live quite comfortably on $20,000/year after taxes. Granted as I get older medical care will get more expensive, but even so...

$20k/yr is below the poverty line for a four person family in the US.

True, I forgot to include a spouse and that we're not necessarily talking about retiring at a typical retirement age, so there could be dependents still.

On the other hand, children won't be dependents indefinitely. Typical total cost to raise a child to 18 is in the neighborhood of, what, $200k?

'$20k/yr is below the poverty line for a four person family in the US.'

- Not too many people retiring with a family.

My buddy just retired to British Guyana. With $30,000 he was able to buy a house three times bigger than my $317,000 townhouse AND start a small carpentry business.

Never mind what he could do with that sum of money in his current dwelling, I don't think he has to pay room and board in the Chinese prison.

'$20k/yr is below the poverty line for a four person family in the US.'

- Not too many people retiring with a family.

We aren't talking about a particular age. Lots of prizes have been awarded to people in their 30s and 40s.

1.4 million in the bank, with even a measly 2.5 APR % is 35k net a year just in interest. I wouldn't want to live on that. I think the more money you put in the bank the higher the rate. If you can find 5% at 70k a year, you would be set. Without touching your principle.

:devil