Obama Distraction

[Loch]

Let's take a breath kids... the original discussion is an interesting one and deserves better than being buried by bickering (forum alliteration ftw).

Do I believe that governments time bad news for when other things are distracting people? Oh yeah, all the time. The Canadian Gov't slipped out a raft of unpopular things during the last Winter Olympics if memory serves me correctly.

This is just common sense for people who have the primary goal of getting re-elected. Is is kind of sleazy and cowardly? Yep, but no one party/side holds a monopoly on it.

Now I don't think Obama made a statement to draw attention to Williams and away from other things but I'm pretty sure nobody thought twice about making use of the smokescreen.

Edit* Just as an fyi, I hope this thread stays on track but part of me wants a complete derailment so that I can close the thread with the epic final post of "This thread has been Loch'd!"

[doulos]

So what are we hinting at here? That some sort of foreign policy decision by the USA was put into action while the world focused on Robin Williams?

[Vanek! at the Disco]

but part of me wants a complete derailment so that I can close the thread with the epic final post of "This thread has been Loch'd!"

As much as I hate threads being locked, I would lmao

also, thumbs up on the nice job "moderating" the discussion

[Loch]

So what are we hinting at here? That some sort of foreign policy decision by the USA was put into action while the world focused on Robin Williams?

I think the implication (the OP can correct me if I'm wrong) is that Obama may have drawn attention to Williams' death in attempt to pull focus off of the announcement of bombings and drone strikes in Iraq from a few days ago...

[blayze]

I've seen a lot of dumb threads on this forum over the years... this one ranks right up there.

[doulos]

I think the implication (the OP can correct me if I'm wrong) is that Obama may have drawn attention to Williams' death in attempt to pull focus off of the announcement of bombings and drone strikes in Iraq from a few days ago...

But. It happened in the past. If I had special powers where I could do something today that would make a past situation far less awkward ... well let's just say that girl in high school would never have seen that thing happen that did happen.

[Savvy1982]

Really - When any organization, be it a corporation, a government, hell even a pro sports team hires a communications "team" then there definitely will be careful management of information.

Whether we like it or not, there are likely more than a dozen people with communications/market/political science backgrounds carefully managing the information stream from any first world government - call it doublespeak, or being cynical if you like, but this isn't likely to change any time soon.

[Axeman33]

https://twitter.com/pmharper/status/499007155593547776

Laureen and I were saddened to hear of the passing of Robin Williams. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time.

Hmm, I wonder what PM Harpers agenda was when he tweeted this. He must be trying to detract from other things that Canada is doing in the world too.

[Loch]

But. It happened in the past. If I had special powers where I could do something today that would make a past situation far less awkward ... well let's just say that girl in high school would never have seen that thing happen that did happen.

Hehe... maybe not, but if there had been a cheerleader convicted of bank robbery the following week you probably would have steered conversations that way rather than towards your indiscretions.

[Axeman33]

Never mind, I just remembered, it's in our DNA for us Canadians to be nice. That has to be it.

[doulos]

No indiscretions. More of a highly embarrassing situation.

In the end I suppose it all worked out for the best!

[changeling87]

https://twitter.com/pmharper/status/499007155593547776




Hmm, I wonder what PM Harpers agenda was when he tweeted this. He must be trying to detract from other things that Canada is doing in the world too.

Harper? Frankly I wouldn't put anything past that sneaky little douchebag.

I agree though, you can't assume there is always a hidden agenda, even slimy politicians are people too (barely), and Robin Williams was larger than life personality who touched many families, I give most of them the benefit of the doubt on this one!

[gfunkb7]

In Quebec, television channel TVA decided to broadcast the movie Mrs Doubtfire. The way I see and analyze it, they may act like they're "paying a tribute" to M. Robin Williams and the population is probably thinking they have, but honestly, its just savvy marketing and taking advantage of the current Robin Williams wave to increase views.

In politics, status quo is worse than sucking up to something you don't believe (i.e. PM Harper taking part in Quebec Day festivities) or being overly emphatic of a current event. Same could be said for Obama I guess.

[Bomm Bastic]

In Quebec, television channel TVA decided to broadcast the movie Mrs Doubtfire. The way I see and analyze it, they may act like they're "paying a tribute" to M. Robin Williams and the population is probably thinking they have, but honestly, its just savvy marketing and taking advantage of the current Robin Williams wave to increase views.

In politics, status quo is worse than sucking up to something you don't believe (i.e. PM Harper taking part in Quebec Day festivities) or being overly emphatic of a current event. Same could be said for Obama I guess.

Does POTUS cease being human upon election to office? Is he not allowed to publicly express remorse for the loss of a great mind, talent, and human being? And to do so without retaliation of unsupported suspicion/innuendo of ulterior motive? Did CNN et al suddenly stop covering the global self destruction of itself, committing instead to 72hrs of non-stop interpretation and salutation of Obama's expression of regret? Did Obama's poll numbers suddenly jump 20 points?

No, I didn't think so.

As blayze said, this is silly (I paraphrase)

[austeane]

Any discussion in the Lounge can be silly!

I think the likely case is pretty obvious, and the only interesting questions are "Is it bad?" and "Does anyone care?"

There was a tragedy. Obama, the human being, was sincerely saddened. Obama's administration, the political organization, either encouraged the public remarks or simply promoted something that already was happening to maybe take some focus off an event that was going to happen already.