Obama Distraction

[forumname]

For those of you who seem to have forgotten, this was the original post:


This got brought up in the Robin Williams thread and it certainly doesn't belong there, but I am curious what others think. To avoid interrupting the Mrs Doubtfire love too much or offending anyone I thought I would just start a new thread.

Somebody posted a quote from Obama on William's death, to which I pointed out the irony of his mourning the loss of a life while he simultaneously orders the taking of others. I suggested the american government uses these things as distractions, and people didn't seem to like that.

To be clear, I do not think Obama played a role in Robins death, nor do I think he encouraged Miley Cyrus to perform her outrageous VMA skit. While everybody was talking about Miley however, he did sign the National Defense Authorization Act and people didn't take much notice. Now, another country is slated for bombing by the US and Obama makes a point of reminding America how great Robin was and how we should all be thinking of him at this difficult time.

I have no problem with Obama. I really couldn't care less about politics to tell you the truth, so this has nothing to do with him, but am I the only one who thinks that maybe the US likes to use big pop culture events (celebrity scandals, etc) as a smoke screen while they push through unpopular legislation and do things they would otherwise prefer to go un-noticed? Is that such a stretch?

[doulos]

Yes, politicians have hidden agendas.

My guess, after reading all of this, is that had you not polluted the Robin Williams thread with this stuff it would have been much better received.

[forumname]

Did a google search and it turns out I'm not the only one who sees fault in his RW statement:

http://twitchy.com/2014/08/12/presid...erguson-riots/

http://investmentwatchblog.com/robin...rom-real-news/

I don't know who these people are, but thought I would point out that it isn't just me.

[forumname]

Yes, politicians have hidden agendas.

My guess, after reading all of this, is that had you not polluted the Robin Williams thread with this stuff it would have been much better received.

I agree, should have kept my mouth shut in the tribute thread or whatever you want to call it.

In my opinion though, the original Obama quote had no place there either. I'm sure it wasn't intentional, but it brought a political element to the discussion that I didn't feel belonged there.

[doulos]

Out of curiosity, would you have rather he stay silent in this case? Is there any individual where you feel like it's appropriate for him to comment on on their death?

[forumname]

Yeesh, post deleted because of 'get bent'? Is that really against the rules here? How is that any worse than saying someone's opinions are stupid? Nothing against the guy who did it in particular, but come on...

Doulos - refer to the stream of 'tweets' in the first article I posted.

[doulos]

I had already read that article. I really wish you'd answer the questions I am asking (in my last post) though since I am trying to wrap my head around where you are coming from here?

[Rylant]

I agree, should have kept my mouth shut in the tribute thread or whatever you want to call it.

In my opinion though, the original Obama quote had no place there either. I'm sure it wasn't intentional, but it brought a political element to the discussion that I didn't feel belonged there.

Forumname, you have a great ability to twist things around, and distort truths; quite a talent, really. The fact of the matter is, that I never mentioned Obama's statement in the original for the purpose of bringing a political element to the tragic death of Robin Williams; Nothing could have been further from my mind, actually. You actually twisted that statement around and made it political, and then seemed shocked that the post was deleted. I mentioned it to show the tremendous affect that this amazing man's death had on a wide number of people, and the news of his passing was being felt by millions of people around the world. I saw it as a touching tribute by one of the most powerful men in the world; you saw it as a cowardly act...

Rylant

[forumname]

Forumname, you have a great ability to twist things around, and distort truths; quite a talent, really. The fact of the matter is, that I never mentioned Obama's statement in the original for the purpose of bringing a political element to the tragic death of Robin Williams; Nothing could have been further from my mind, actually. You actually twisted that statement around and made it political, and then seemed shocked that the post was deleted.

It's not that I twist words, it's that you guys don't listen to what I'm saying!

"I'm sure it wasn't intentional, but it brought a political element to the discussion that I didn't feel belonged there."

I never said you intended harm of any kind, or to make the discussion political. Bringing up politicians however, makes things political in my opinion.

[Rylant]

I would love nothing more than a real, regular joe president. One who hasn't been dehumanized and crafted for the role. Not the world we live in though. I want to be able to believe he is just a good guy who loved Robin Williams, but all the years of being so plastic and deceitful make it difficult. If politicians want to be seen as real people with real feelings they should stop reading from scripts and being so goddamn shady! Guy's trying to promote even more outrageous consumerism in the US by doing a photo-op at the Gap, but doesn't even know how to use a credit card. Ya, a real common american.

Ya, it's a nice pipe dream, but I don't know if a "regular joe president" is possible in this day and age. It takes thousands of people to get somebody into the presidency nowadays. Without careful intricate planning by marketing specialists, political science specialists, polls, strategists, and hundreds of millions of dollars, how could a "regular joe president" ever get elected into office in the first place? Once Obama is in office with the help of all these people and millions of dollars, do you expect him to just turn it off?

Rylant

[forumname]

Ya, it's a nice pipe dream, but I don't know if a "regular joe president" is possible in this day and age. It takes thousands of people to get somebody into the presidency nowadays. Without careful intricate planning by marketing specialists, political science specialists, polls, strategists, and hundreds of millions of dollars, how could a "regular joe president" ever get elected into office in the first place? Once Obama is in office with the help of all these people and millions of dollars, do you expect him to just turn it off?

Rylant

That's why I'm not implying it's an isolated Obama problem. The whole system is a convoluted mess.

[doulos]

Is it ever appropriate for the POTUS to comment on the death of an individual?

[Rylant]

It's not that I twist words, it's that you guys don't listen to what I'm saying!

"I'm sure it wasn't intentional, but it brought a political element to the discussion that I didn't feel belonged there."

I never said you intended harm of any kind, or to make the discussion political. Bringing up politicians however, makes things political in my opinion.

This is what I mean. I listened to what you are saying, but I don't see it the same way. I honestly think that mentioning a politician's name and quoting something that he said which has nothing to do with politics, is not political at all. Your accusation of his potential political agenda behind that quote, is what made it political. If I say "President Obama had a hamburger and a salad for dinner, and then walked his dog", is that making any kind of statement regarding politics?

Rylant

[Rylant]

Is it ever appropriate for the POTUS to comment on the death of an individual?

Yes; without question.

Rylant

[doulos]

Yes; without question.

Rylant

I agree. Curious what forumname says.