When Pigs Fly

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26633775/
from JoeUser Forums

The latest controversy concerns a remark that Obama made about lipstick and pigs.  The republicans are of course feigning indignancy and claiming the comment was a slap at Sarah Palin - due both to her sex and her own self depreciating humor about Hockey moms.  If one squints hard enough, they can actually see the republicans point.

But I dont think Obama even thought of the reference to Palin.  And that is what concerns me more. "Lipstick on a pig" is an old, country cliche.  I have heard it before (and the one about a silk purse and sows ear).  But there are times that you do not use certain phrases (see article about an arrest of a politician for making a comment about a young girl) as the timing is not right, and the circumstances do lead to a mis-interpretation.  Experience then comes into play and warns the speaker about making such comments as most assuredly they will be taken out of context.

And Obama just does not know the difference.  That is not to say he never will.  With time, and more experience he will gain the wisdom of knowing when to shut up, and when "inserting foot into mouth" is a real danger.  This incident will blow away - hopefully not as painfully as the monkeys in the tree comment that got his own staffer fired.  But what about when he is meeting with the president of Russie, or Premier of China?  Making a stupid joke that will cause already strained relations to become more tenuos will not help this nation - or for the more etheral citizens - world peace.  And Obama just does not know when to shut his mouth yet.

He is a great reader of speeches, but his "err-um-ah-oh-mm-eh" off the cuff speaking leaves a lot to be desired.  He may get better in time on that, but he sure needs to get better at knowing when to say and when not to say things before he is ready to be leader of the free world.

On the job training is great.  But not when you are starting from scratch.

democrat
11,472 views 19 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

You know what?  How about they just go ahead and insult each other?  I think the news would really love that and this "careful language" crap can go away.

When someone has to dig to find phrases to be offended by...well, they need a new hobby.

~Zoo

Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top

You know what? How about they just go ahead and insult each other? I think the news would really love that and this "careful language" crap can go away.
End of quote

It would be refreshing. ;)

When someone has to dig to find phrases to be offended by...well, they need a new hobby.
End of quote

This was not a detective story.  It was not hard to find.  And that is what is troubling.  We did have a president go down to Mexico and talk about "Montezuma's revenge".  We dont need to repeat those mistakes.  And we sure dont need someone "learning" on the job when to keep their mouth shut.  To be fair, I dont think McCain is much better, but it is not his inexperience, but temper that worries me.

Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

This was not a detective story. It was not hard to find.
End of quote

Yeah, but someone had to put a bit of effort in it to actually cause a fuss.  If someone says the same word in two different speeches in two different contexts somehow there's a commotion?

Honestly, people never cease to amaze me with their stupidity or rather their committment to it.

~Zoo

Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top

It's like "gravitas" and other buzzwords that find a home during campaign season.  Sarah Palin made a joke that included the word "lipstick", so now, apparently the Democrats have decided that they'll fit that word in wherever they can.  It's been used more in the last few days than ever before (again, much like "gravitas" was a couple of elections back).

Let them have their lipstick slapstick, it's pretty meaningless anyway.  Most the people who support Obama laughed at the joke, the people who are against him get to have their little "Well, I Never!" moments.   I doubt anyone who is still undecided is going to base their vote on this one way or the other.

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top

If people outside of America want to be offended at America for our president saying something, they'll find something to dig at to be offended with no matter what he says.

Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top

Yeah, but someone had to put a bit of effort in it to actually cause a fuss.
End of quote

In an election year, if a candidate says "me" instead of "us" it is going to cause a scandal.  It is the nature of the beast.

Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top

I doubt anyone who is still undecided is going to base their vote on this one way or the other.
End of quote

Taken in the context the way the republicans are playing it up, I tend to agree.  But then Ford mispoke as well, and that may have caused him the election too.

In this context, I think it may sway some undecideds on the experience issue. 

Then again it may have just won Obama the Male chauvinist vote too. ;)

Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top

If people outside of America want to be offended at America for our president saying something, they'll find something to dig at to be offended with no matter what he says.
End of quote

Trees are going to get burned in a forest fire too.  That does not mean you have to throw gasoline on the fire to ensure they get burned.

Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top

Taken in the context the way the republicans are playing it up, I tend to agree. But then Ford mispoke as well, and that may have caused him the election too.
End of quote

Yup, his mispeaking cost him the election, I think the quote was "I pardon Richard Nixon" ;~D

Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top

Yup, his mispeaking cost him the election, I think the quote was "I pardon Richard Nixon" ;~D
End of quote

In his short tenure - that was the best thing he did.  I think he knew it was going to cost him politically, but he was one to put the nation ahead of his own ambitions.  One of the few politicians to do so.

Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top

I hate election years. My bullshit meter stays pegged the whole time. :LOL:

Reply #12 from PolMach Forums Top

I think this just further highlights that there is a difference between speech-reading and charisma, I think Palin has both, while Obama sorely lacks the latter.

I think everybody who thinks Obama is charismatic should watch a couple of Gordon Brown interviews, then watch an Obama interview. In the UK Brown is thought of as a wooden, dour, uncharismatic Scottish sourpuss. Obama is, in my opinion, just as poor in his responses and body-language (especially at Saddleback), yet everybody thinks he's phenomenal because he can read well. There's a difference between Hitleresque inspiration of people who would normally hate you, and being able to read without going 'er' or losing your place. The latter simply reflects literacy and youth.

 

With the amount of Obama gaffes, if he'd invaded a country and wasn't untouchable in mainstream society (we all know why) there would be just as many websites of Obamaisms as there are about Bushisms.

Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top

In his short tenure - that was the best thing he did. I think he knew it was going to cost him politically, but he was one to put the nation ahead of his own ambitions. One of the few politicians to do so.
End of quote

Absolutely, it was the best thing to promote healing in the nation, but since Nixon couldn't be punished, the nation punished Ford...  and if you ask me, the nation just rubbed acid in the wound when Carter was elected.

Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top

Elections are proof of the saying "a person is smart, people are stupid"

Reply #15 from Stardock Forums Top

I'd think it goes "a person who votes for McCain is smart, the people who vote for Obama are stupid".

Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top

My bullshit meter stays pegged the whole time.
End of quote

You must have hated Virginia then - since elections are every year. ;)

Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top

I think this just further highlights that there is a difference between speech-reading and charisma, I think Palin has both, while Obama sorely lacks the latter.
End of quote

Exactly!

Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top

Absolutely, it was the best thing to promote healing in the nation, but since Nixon couldn't be punished, the nation punished Ford...
End of quote

That is why I consider him one of the greatest.  He was an American first, a party member second, and a demigogue third.

Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top

Elections are proof of the saying "a person is smart, people are stupid"
End of quote

I think it was Hari Seldon who said that. ;) (Foundation - Isaac Asimov).