Remember how the left always asserted that George W. Bush was stupid? Remember how they were so thrilled to have the Obamessiah that spoke so well, a president that was perpetually the smartest man in the room? Well, after the many stammering TelePrompter free stump debacles during the campaign, many began to doubt this claim of his superior intelligence. Here is another small dent in that perception. That no one in the media is crowing about this as they always did with Bush is telling.
Newsweek conducted a Q and A with the president at the end of which appears a few questions concerning his recent choices of entertainment. During the Q and A The One admitted he watched the reboot of Star Trek in the White House movie theater claiming that everyone was saying he was Spock. But two other things he said clanged badly: one arrogant and the other somewhat ignorant.
First the arrogant:
And the last movie you saw?
Now, movies I've been doing OK [with] because it turns out we got this nice theater on the ground floor of my house … So Star Trek, we saw this weekend, which I thought was good. Everybody was saying I was Spock, so I figured I should check it out and--[the president makes the Vulcan salute with his hand].
So The One likes to be called Mr. Spock, eh? That is bad enough, but the fact that he so automatically called the White House "my house" is simply as arrogant as it comes. It isn't "your" house Mr. President. It's the people's! The man's sense of entitlement is disgusting.
Next the ignorant:
Did you watch that when you were growing up?
I used to love Star Trek. You know, Star Trek was ahead of its time. There was a whole--the special effects weren't real good, but the storylines were always evocative, you know, there was a little commentary and a little pop philosophy for a 10-year-old to absorb.
I find it amusing that the "Spock" of the White House, the smartest president evah doesn't know the difference between "evocative" and "provocative." By the later half of his sentence Obama clearly meant provocative, not evocative.
The word evocative simply means to provoke emotional response or memories. But by focusing on "philosophy" and "commentary" Obama obviously meant that Star Trek provoked thinking so it was intellectually provocative not emotionally evocative. Additionally, how much evoking can a 10-year-old indulge?
So, why doesn't the smartest man in the world know the difference between provocative and evocative?
Maybe he isn't as smart as the left would have it?
So, will we see Jon Stewart making fun of this? How about a broadside by Bill Maher? A slap by Olbermann or Maddow? Don't hold your breath!
(As for me, I saw Trek last night. Fun film. Unfortunately, it never once felt like Star Trek to me. But it did evoke some fond memories with its homage to the original series!)
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
"My house." The arrogance
May 17, 2009 - 05:54 ET by motherbelt"My house."
The arrogance is jaw-dropping. Not only that, can you imagine the uproar if that cocky President Bush had said my house ?
I guess that's the difference between "swaggering" and "swagga."
I'm sure he was thinking "My helicopter" that weekend early in his administration when he decided to go to Camp David for an overnighter (Hey, girls, want to take a ride in my helicopter and see this really neat vacation house I have?)
Not an ounce of humility.
I said constantly during the campaign When someone says "It's not about the money," you can be certain it is.
And he continually said "It's not about me."
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
I wonder
May 17, 2009 - 06:03 ET by jacktheripperif he drinks Dos Equis beer....after all he is the most interesting man in the world . Right?
You Betcha
May 17, 2009 - 06:06 ET by BondPlainBondHe lives vicariously through himself.
He once
May 17, 2009 - 06:46 ET by jacktheripperhad an awkward moment...just to see how it felt
Don't Be Jealous
May 17, 2009 - 07:58 ET by EdCoyneNow, now...don't be jealous, people. Afterall, it's not his fault. He "has a gift".
Ed Coyne
www.PoliCalc.com
...
May 17, 2009 - 09:33 ET by EugeniaThis little man shouldn't use big words. He didn't know evoke from provoke because his teleprompter wasn't there by his side to watch the movie with him.
Well . . . .
May 17, 2009 - 09:40 ET by DoktorFranken. . . . Spock did have the viewscreens at his Science Officer's work station that prompted him what to say.
Fascinating.
To paraphrase William Shatner
May 18, 2009 - 15:12 ET by steveinphillyGET A LIFE, will you people? I mean, for crying out loud, it's just a Newsweek interview about a movie! I mean, look at you, look at the way you're getting your panties all twisted! You've turned an enjoyable little interview, that the President did as a lark, into a COLOSSAL WASTE OF TIME! I mean, how old are you people? What have you done with yourselves? You, “Warner Todd Huston” (what a name—haha!—Warner Todd), you must be almost 30... have you ever kissed a girl? I didn't think so! There's a whole world out there! When I was your age, I didn't surf the web looking for George Bush arguably misusing the word “evocative”! I LIVED! So... move out of your parent's basements! And get your own apartments and GROW THE HELL UP! I mean, it's just a Newsweek interview about Star Trek, dammit, IT'S JUST AN INTERVIEW ABOUT A TREK MOVIE!
Hey, your side of the aisle
May 18, 2009 - 17:49 ET by BDHey, your side of the aisle abused the previous president for the past four years for everything to and including statements he made regarding baseball - something he was well acquainted with.
Now it is just time to take the jabs as they come since the current president made idiotic comments and they are earned.......
y steveinphilly
May 18, 2009 - 19:46 ET by Warner Todd HustonThanks for revealing your level of "intelligence." I always love it when half-wit lefties prove their stuff.
Be sure and visit my home blog PubliusForum.com.
LOL-Looks like his pocket
May 17, 2009 - 06:01 ET by R D HelmLOL-Looks like his pocket teleprompter let him down.
-Dave
The Tribble with Obama's memory
May 17, 2009 - 06:08 ET by Jack BauerErr, one problem in the Space-Time continuum.
Star Trek ran from 8 Sept, 1966 thru 1969. Barack Obama was born Aug 4, 1961, or so he says.
So he was just FIVE years old when Star Trek began. And 8 years old when it ceased. Anyone really think he was watching re-runs in 1971?
Did they have Star Trek re-runs in 1971?
Well...
May 17, 2009 - 06:08 ET by Warner Todd HustonActually, he could have been. Star Trek was far more popular in the 10 years of the 1970s through its syndication on UHF stations all across the country (including Hawaii) than it ever was in its original run on network TV.
Be sure and visit my home blog PubliusForum.com.
WTH -- I bow to your
May 17, 2009 - 06:12 ET by Jack BauerWTH -- I bow to your superior Trekkie lore.
But wouldn't you love to see those 1971 TV skeds from Hawaii when he was 10
They're probably locked in a vault somewhere alongside his birth certificate, his college entrance forms and test scores, and his 1984 thessis on the Soviet Union.
LOL
May 17, 2009 - 06:13 ET by Warner Todd HustonHe was probably drawn to the show with all those red shirts on the actors. He probably thought it was a communist show of some kind
Be sure and visit my home blog PubliusForum.com.
"Aye Komrad cap'n... I
May 17, 2009 - 06:18 ET by Jack BauerWell thanks for the morning
May 17, 2009 - 06:35 ET by USA4freedomWell thanks for the morning laugh guys.
I will be doing Scottie with his team of Bolsheviks; lad’s set you phasers to.. re-distribute.
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
Re Aye Captain...
May 17, 2009 - 09:03 ET by slickwillie2001Here ya go: http://community.thetimes-tribune.com
Did they show Star Trek
May 17, 2009 - 08:03 ET by skeptic1Did they show Star Trek reruns in kenya and/or Indonesia in the 70's?
....
May 17, 2009 - 09:36 ET by EugeniaOh, my goodness, skeptic! That's a good point. Lol!!! He watched Star Trek, hahahahahaaaa!!!
Skeptic
May 17, 2009 - 09:44 ET by DoktorFrankenI know quite a few people that lie as easily as breathing. Hussein is one.
I now await our Watchdog Press to jump on this "genius" presidential faux pas. Waiting . . . . . . . . .
True dat
May 17, 2009 - 17:22 ET by danebramageI'm six months younger than Obama and I watched Star Trek in the '70s. I don't remember it being as early as 1971, but I also don't think we should dwell on trivialities like whether when someone says 10 years old they mean exactly 10 years old or just "when I was a kid."
I mean, c'mon, who remembers the exact dates they watched some t.v. show on? He was a kid/adolescent and he watched Star Trek reruns. Perfectly plausible-- even probable--assuming he was in the U.S. 'Nuff said.
but I also don't think we
May 18, 2009 - 06:47 ET by Dan The Man 2but I also don't think we should dwell on trivialities like whether
when someone says 10 years old they mean exactly 10 years old or just
"when I was a kid.
Normally we wouldnt, but in these 57 states it gets harder and harder to get credibility. So next time do think when u post.
Yeah
May 18, 2009 - 06:51 ET by Warner Todd HustonWe should NEVER "dwell" on such stuff. Why, the NEXT thing you know people are going to get all crazy on how Obama says Nu-culer... Oh, wait. That was the OTHER guy. Guess it was OK to be trivial way back then, eh, lefties??
Be sure and visit my home blog PubliusForum.com.
Spock, huh?
May 17, 2009 - 06:08 ET by OldSailor88Why then is his healtchare plan and his budget the antithesis of the Vulcan greeting?
Live long and prosper, my butt.
Sailor
May 17, 2009 - 09:46 ET by DoktorFrankenThe old Jewish/Vulcan hand salute will take on new meaning soon. It will mean "taking it up the ass".
Live long enough to pay more taxes.
and to quote
May 17, 2009 - 12:36 ET by jls19401Gunnery Sergeant R. Lee Ermey, from Full Metal Jacket, "with out even the courtesy of a reach around"!
The O-Hole
May 17, 2009 - 06:09 ET by kilrodThe O-Hole, proving daily that the blind CAN lead the blind.!!~~!!
(GRINS) kilrod
Remember, only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American Soldier
So
May 17, 2009 - 06:33 ET by RD Kingis he spobama or spockama or Ospock? This guy has had more names than any body I can think of in history, the one I will never give him is potus, he still remains the totus.
Yea he's the NEGATIVE Spock, the one with the goatee.
May 17, 2009 - 06:38 ET by upcountrywaterHelp help that bad parallel universe we all are getting SUCKED INTO. BAD SPOCK
Reagan VS 0bama
It's funny, but whenever I
May 17, 2009 - 06:39 ET by Jack BauerIt's funny, but whenever I hear Biden, Obama and Star Trek mentioned together, what pops into my mind is:
"Boldly going where no
May 17, 2009 - 06:50 ET by R D Helm"Boldly going where no socialists have taken the United States before: down the crapper."
LOL-Yeah Jack, and at warp speed, too. :-O
-Dave
Scotty to Ears
May 17, 2009 - 19:16 ET by MrShy"Captain, the compeee-uter's right.... these Democracy Tanks ah-ganna blow any meeenite!"
You're the next contestant on...
THE MESSIAH IS... LEFT !!
I have to say that O's
May 17, 2009 - 08:12 ET by BuxomAnnieMcGreggorI have to say that O's willingness to be identified with "Star Trek" is a bit puzzling to me..... what with the whole "black hole" references just sitting on the edge of conversations all across the fruited plains, waiting to be deployed as a thinly veiled racial "crack" [see Uranus]. I mean, it's like inviting me to a party, and then being mad at me for showing up!
;~)
"We retort..... you decide."
Re Identified w/Star Trek
May 17, 2009 - 10:06 ET by slickwillie2001Yep, and it brings up the Klingon connection as well....
Actually, Obama has much more in common with the Borg
May 17, 2009 - 06:45 ET by R D HelmMeet Baracutus:
http://farm4.static....
((((Shiver))))
-Dave
((((Shiver)))) Indeed!
May 17, 2009 - 07:16 ET by motherbeltResistance is futile.
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
I think you are pushing it on this one
May 17, 2009 - 07:07 ET by guefyEvocative can be an adjective. I believe it is used correctly there. I really doubt that Newsweek would print it before correcting Him.
And do we see a trend with the Democrats? Bill Clinton's 'job' was considered by other Democrats as none of our business. What he did in the privacy of "his" home was OK, along with cheating on his wife multiple times. (Perversion is strong with this one)
So now the Obama thinks it's his house. How can we argue with Democrat logic?
One thing about Spock, while usually cool and collected, when he wasn't, he was a madman. The Obama is 100% Spock. Just like in the movie, and the series, Spock never could handle command for very long before he screwed up, especially at first, before he had any experience. In the later shows, he did command respect and could command effectively, but it took him years. Spock in the new movie was so obsessed with righting past wrongs, in his case the death of his mother, that it clouded right from wrong. He made big mistakes. Spock never could command for long. The crew just wouldn't take it. He made straight out logic decisions. However he never took into accounts his feelings, and how his decisions would affect others. He had no love for others, did not shed a tear when someone died, even his grandmother, I mean mother. He had very little problems killing his friend, his captain, in ST:TOS "Amok Time." Spock could command for a time, but would willling step down to give the captain back his command.
However the big difference between Spock and Spockbama, Spock knew when to step down.
Spockbama, it's time you admitted that you don't have the respect of your crew, you can't command effectivly because you have little to no command experience, your logic doesn't allow you to care one bit about those around you, and you'll kill whoever you see fit to, if your mind tells you it's logical (Like throwing people under the bus).
http://teleprompteri...
Evocative can be an
May 17, 2009 - 07:25 ET by motherbeltEvocative can be an adjective. I believe it is used correctly there. I
really doubt that Newsweek would print it before correcting Him.
Newsweek correct The Obama??? Surely you jest. If he said it, they would accept it as the "new standard."
Yes it was used correctly as an adjective but the meaning was wrong.
Evocative means
evoking or tending to evoke an especially emotional response
(I don't thinks Star Trek did that for anyone.)
but that's not what he meant. He had no idea of the meaning; he just thought it sounded better.
This is a tendency of language snobs...they like to substitute a word for a similar one, thinking it's more elegant.
Another example is "discrete" for "discreet" sometimes employed by writers, when the two meanings are completely different.
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
evoking or tending to evoke
May 17, 2009 - 10:18 ET by JasonCevoking or tending to evoke an especially emotional response
(I don't thinks Star Trek did that for anyone.)
Really, MB?! Are you unaware of the existence of this group of lunatics known as hardcore trekkies? They're the ones who wept at the end of Wrath of Khan...
MB:I pretty sure Yeoman
May 17, 2009 - 13:59 ET by stratmanMB:
I pretty sure Yeoman Janice Rand evoked a thing or two with me!
;-)
Agree with you on the rest. Obama used the wrong word. No biggie except for the duplicity of the Media and The One keeps proving he's not the intellect as credited by the Left.
Check out the do.
May 17, 2009 - 17:35 ET by mizflame98That hair style is the epitome of a "weave job". Someone took hair weaving literally on her.
“It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds”
Samuel Adams
The yeoman's hairdo was one
May 17, 2009 - 20:34 ET by stratmanThe yeoman's hairdo was one of the things that made her hot. I guess it was a 60's thing... and a guy thing.
To be truthful, it was what was underneath her weave that made her fascinating, as Mr. Spock would say!
:-)
guess
May 17, 2009 - 07:35 ET by Warner Todd HustonI guess well have to agree to disagree on that. From my reading, evocative is meant to cause feelings to arise, memories to come back to mind or emotions to surge.
On the other hand provocative means to bring anger or thought to bear on a statement.
"Philosophy" and "commentary" as he meant it connected with Star Trek seems clearly not to be evocative but provocative. Especially in a 10-year-old.
I think evocative is simply the wrong usage here.
I guess we will have to arrive at opposite ends of that one.
Be sure and visit my home blog PubliusForum.com.
Isn't that what *I*
May 17, 2009 - 07:46 ET by motherbeltIsn't that what *I* said????
OK, you were more eloquent. LOL
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
LOL
May 17, 2009 - 07:51 ET by Warner Todd HustonYeah, I had the post up and ready to write and got distracted for a few minutes. The dog needed to go out. So, once I got back to writing I hadn't gone back to the page yet to see any other posts. So, I finished the post, posted it, and THEN saw yours.
This evokes me to think about stuff and junk, ya know?
Be sure and visit my home blog PubliusForum.com.
I'm Fairly Illiterate (not really)
May 17, 2009 - 08:04 ET by EdCoyneI'm fairly illiterate and I knew, as soon as I saw the word, that he used it incorrectly. However, I'm sure he meant to say that exact word. He just never read the whole definition from his "Word of the Day" calendar.
Ed Coyne
www.PoliCalc.com
BDS explained
May 17, 2009 - 15:28 ET by needleSo is that why the Demented Democrats were so mad at Bush? He was living in their house?
Impunitas semper ad deteriora invitat.
Poor Bambi
May 17, 2009 - 08:25 ET by ShanghaiRayHe actually thought that the "people" who compared him to Spock were talking about his intellect...actually, they were referring to those damn funny ears of his.
lol! But in fairness, he
May 17, 2009 - 12:26 ET by Jerrylol! But in fairness, he does have more similarities with Spock than just his ears.
Blue blood - if anyone bleeds blue is the leftist ideologue that is BO.
Alien - there are questions about the O's birth certificate.
Even the future Spock knew that he was not the man to lead the Enterprise. Unfortunately, we don't have a James Kirk to take over.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
trekkie "O"
May 17, 2009 - 08:28 ET by trhugGary Huggins I notice that "O" also has the opinion that mankind can fix all problems without Divine guidance. Such has been the belief of many fallen men and civilizations. No one in history has ever overcome anything strictly in his own power. Without the OK of Divine power, there is no joy, victory, or pleasure. I wonder where "O's" happiness comes from.
Man left to his own wisdom invariably self-destructs.
BDS in AP feature on Capt. Kirk
May 17, 2009 - 08:46 ET by nkviking75On a related note, there's an AP story by Ted Anthony which calls Capt. Kirk an American icon. Yes, he knows that America no longer exists as a political entity in Kirk's time, but he claims that Kirk embodies the American spirit.
But strangely enough, Bush Derangement Syndrome surfaces in a quote from some historian:
"He's the George Bush that George Bush pretended to be — the compassionate conservative, the 'uniter not the divider,'" says Richard Slotkin, author of "Gunfighter Nation" and a historian of the frontier.
"His style of action is George Bush's style of action — 'I go with my gut and I have an indomitable will to win,'" Slotkin says. "It's essentially a right-wing style, but it's controlled in Kirk's case" — by an ingrained sense of progressivism, among other traits.
I take issue with this statement on two counts. First, whatever his flaws, George W. Bush is hardly a phony, especially when compared to both his predecessor and his successor. What we see is what we get. And second, Bush is not the shoot-from-the-hip cowboy his critics make him out to be. Here's a quote from Karl Rove dated Aug. 31, 2007, his last day on Bush's staff:
I have known George W. Bush for nearly 34 years and have had the privilege of watching from nearby as history has placed its demands on him and our country. I know his humility and decency, his intelligence and thoughtfulness, his respect for every person he comes in contact with, his unwavering commitment to principle-based decision-making, and the quiet and compassionate hearts of the man and his graceful wife, Laura.
That's hardly a portrait of a reckless man.
[I saw this story this morning, May 17, in the Mason City (Iowa) Globe-Gazette, but it does not appear on their website.]
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
They didn't show Star Trek
May 17, 2009 - 08:59 ET by eaglewingz08They didn't show Star Trek reruns in the early 70s, it was later in the 70s when it went into syndication. And given the low ratings of Star Trek in the USA, is there any rational person who would believe that NBC allowed the show to be broadcast in foreign countries, including Indonesia? This Indonesia connection was an extremely good pickup by one of our wonderful posters, keep up the great work.
Star Trek was in syndication in the early 70's
May 17, 2009 - 09:05 ET by nkviking75Sorry, eagle, but I distinctly remember seeing Star Trek in syndication in the very early 70's. For me, this was the first time I saw the series. Back in the "olden days" we only had one TV, and watching ST:TOS on NBC was not an option because the parental units made other choices. But I was able to watch it at 4 p.m. in syndication.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
...
May 17, 2009 - 09:40 ET by EugeniaSecond that, nkviking75. I watched Star Trek every day after school in the early 70s too. It definitely was on syndication then.
Sybdicated in 1969
May 17, 2009 - 12:12 ET by PooleStar Trek was in syndication in the Fall of 1969. I remember as I was in the 9th grade that year and it was a topic of dicsussion among several of us at the junior high. The show was broadcast by the ABC affiliate at 4 in the afternoon, which gave just enough time to get home from school.
When that station stopped broadcasting ST:TOS, an new UHF station put TOS on the air at 7 pm weekdays. When that station stopped runing it, another new UHF station started running it twice a night, a 6 pm and again at 9 pm.
Once thing we noticed back in 1969, Star Trek episodes in syndication were shown in the same order no matter which station was broadcasting irrespective of the order in which they were broadcast on NBC.
No...
May 17, 2009 - 10:07 ET by Warner Todd Hustoneaglewingz08
Actually, the syndication of the Original series started in the Fall of 1970 as soon as the Summer re-runs were over on the network.
Be sure and visit my home blog PubliusForum.com.
I've been to Indonesia, and have watched Indo TV..
May 17, 2009 - 13:18 ET by upcountrywaterNo way would they EVER broadcast, any of that intersteller philandering, inter-racial kissing...
Nope Star Trek never made it on moslem TV in Indonesia..
Reagan VS 0bama
Decent President Bush
May 17, 2009 - 09:29 ET by iveseenitallYes, "decent" is the operative word when speaking of President Bush. I can't print the operative word I think of when it comes to Barry Obama. What I can print is: poorly educated, average to below intelligence, immature, arrogant, ignorant, narcissistic, dishonest, anti-white racist, anti-American socialist/communist, inexperienced, liar, phony and more.
P.S. One word which will never be associated with Barry is "humility". What an immature fool the boy is.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Not so fast... Remember
May 17, 2009 - 08:58 ET by BDNot so fast... Remember he is a liberal after all. Liberals substitute emotional thought for logic and thus evocative might fit the bill.
But in no way can the hyper emotional left be considered the logical thinkers that Dr Spock represented in the TV series. They are the diammetic opposites.
Petty Nonsense
May 17, 2009 - 09:01 ET by jabelsonHey did yo hear that Obama calls the home he lives in HIS HOUSE...what arrogance - but I guess I'm just as bad - even though I rent, I have the ARROGANCE to call it MY HOME. I'm sure Obama was tongue in cheek - which is OBVIOUS from the context of joking about having a THEATER in HIS HOUSE - but the newsbusters are about as relevant as George Bush these days.
Obama may not be the smartest person "evah" - but he probably is much smarter than Huston - who makes a "livin" scriblin for a little read blog! Regardless, STar Trek WAS ALWAYS evocitive of some sort of emotional response...
Big difference. You buy a
May 17, 2009 - 11:53 ET by JerryBig difference. You buy a house, you PAY for it. You rent a house, you PAY for it. If you are elected to office, you are elected to SERVE. In his case, in the most prestigious location in the world. To casually refer to it as "my house" demonstrates the flippant, irreverent attitude that is all too common among democrats in this day and age. The kind of attitude that lends itself to using the "house" as a place of sexual conquest, or for renting out to political contributors.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
→ His house
May 17, 2009 - 11:59 ET by Cool ArrowMay as well be his. It is government housing, after all.
"I was fighting a war in Iraq!" - Nancy Lugosi
King Barry
May 17, 2009 - 12:08 ET by slickwillie2001He calls it 'my house' because he doesn't intend to ever leave. The bill to repeal the 22nd Amendment is in the House, HR 5, introduced by Jose Serrano, D-NY.
how dare the insolent cad
May 17, 2009 - 16:09 ET by JerYeah, HUGE difference...
And how dare the insolent cad not correctly identify the movie room as "America's Theatre"...and allow a democrat to occupy the same bed upon which the majestic form of Rush Limbaugh had once lain, or omigod to be a passenger on the very "America's Jet" in which GOP fatcats were taken for joyrides. All is lost.
Jer
Another faux pas from The One
May 17, 2009 - 09:03 ET by Arminius"I used to love Star Trek. You know, Star Trek was ahead of its time. There was a whole--the special effects weren't real good, but the storylines were always evocative, you know, there was a little commentary and a little pop philosophy for a 10-year-old to absorb."
It should be "really good," and not "real good." "Real" is an adjective, while "really" would be an adverb modifying the adjective "good."
I can't imagine that someone with Obama's alleged education would make such a basic error.
Language skills
May 17, 2009 - 09:22 ET by iveseenitallObama is said to be a wonderful speaker. Yet the number of mistakes he makes with the English language grows as time goes by. For example, he recently appointed, according to him, a man who is "a" economic advisor. Frankly, I think he is "a" ass.
NEVER,NEVER trust an "liberal" (LOL)
thats because he is an
May 17, 2009 - 10:53 ET by kangaroothats because he is an illegal alien (spock) and still learning the language
Ya know, I don't think he really did watch Star Trek
May 17, 2009 - 09:46 ET by nolotrippen"I used to love Star Trek. You know, Star Trek was ahead of its time.
There was a whole--the special effects weren't real good, but the
storylines were always evocative, you know, there was a little
commentary and a little pop philosophy for a 10-year-old to absorb."
By his own time-line, he supposedly watched ST before Star Wars and just after 2001. To a 10-year old, the effects WERE "real good" (some of them still stand up quite nicely). No pre-teen of the time would look at that and say, "I like the show, but the effects are lame" (though he might have used "affects" for "effects").
The notion that ST was a wee-bit lame is a modern one and one not held by people who actually watched the show.
Star Trek = 1
Obama = 0
I don't know which series
May 17, 2009 - 10:05 ET by JasonCI don't know which series we're talking about, but I always thought the original series (Shatner/Nimoy) was considered cheesy during and immediately after its run. TNG looked really sleek by comparison when it debuted, but now it certainly looks dated and hokey. I could be wrong, I just always thought that was the conventional trekkie/trekker wisdom.
"Now, movies I've been
May 17, 2009 - 10:02 ET by JasonC"Now, movies I've been doing OK [with] because..." is certainly a clunker, but not exactly the stuff of late-night talk shows. Let's face it, so-called "Bushisms" were roundly laughed about not just because of their grammatical imperfections but because they implied funny double meanings. I mean, possibly subsistuting evocative for provocative - and it's questionable that he necessarily even meant the latter more than the former - just isn't on par with:
"Rarely is the questioned asked: Is our children learning?"
and
"Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB-GYNs
aren't able to practice their love with women all across this country."
Now I've never bought into the "Bush is dumb" mythos, but you'd have to be a pretty imaginative comedian to see Obama's spoonerizing of pro- and evocative as something out of which an hilarious joke could be crafted. And I'm sorry but, mistakes like this notwithstanding, Obama is a much better speaker.
I could not care less about the "my house" thing. It didn't even occur to me to be offended until WTH and some other posters informed me I should be. I thought it was kind of funny.
A message from Present Hussein
May 17, 2009 - 10:13 ET by cocodrieJesus Loves You so much He died for you
Sorry Jason
May 17, 2009 - 10:20 ET by cocodrieUh uh uh uh uh uh that's all you get when Present Hussein's teleprompter is broken.
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
I love how that post is
May 17, 2009 - 11:01 ET by JasonCI love how that post is basically a microcosm of the most insipid and schaedenfraudey "criticisms" of Obama:
"His Muslim-sounding name!"
"Teleprompter!"
If only you'd included "William Ayers!!", you'd have had the trifecta.
How are legitimate
May 17, 2009 - 12:11 ET by JerryHow are legitimate criticisms such as, Teleprompter and Bill Ayers, merely insipid and schaedenfraude??? I admit, I had to look up that "S" word because I thought it was something you caught from a Volkswagen, but to stereotype legitimate criticisms under the "Muslim name" genre is rather insipid in itself.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
How is the teleprompter a
May 17, 2009 - 12:15 ET by balboaHow is the teleprompter a legitimate criticism?
How is it not? The man
May 17, 2009 - 13:41 ET by MrSnugglesHow is it not? The man clearly cannot speak in public without a telempromter, less he sound like a complete bumbling fool.
Really?
May 17, 2009 - 18:11 ET by jabelsonI guess none of us saw the debates or the three hours of live, unscripted press conferences he's done on prime time...
the teleprompter gag is tired and lame...
Exactly. As to the other
May 18, 2009 - 08:27 ET by JasonCExactly.
As to the other conventional complaints about Obama:
If I were to make a list of every person with which every recent Republican president has sat on a charity board or whose kids went to the same school, and cherry-picked one guy with an unsavory past to infer guilt by association, you'd all go bananas about the patent unfairness. I have yet to see it proven that Ayers and Obama used to 'pal around' as Palin so astutely put it.
That Obama's first name is one letter away from the most wanted terrorist in the world and that his middle name is the same as a former American ally turned ruthless dictator is an interesting coincidence. Harping on it makes about as much sense as it would for me to point out that both Bush presidents share a first name with the kings of the House of Hanover who, of course, were the tyrants we fought in the American Revolution. Also being named George, they must secretly sympathized with 18th century Tories and hate American freedom....right?
Oh no wait, that's idiotic beyond belief.
What I find really amusing is just how out of touch the conservatives who fixate on these things must be. Two years ago, I remember NB posters saying "Ha, the democrats would be so stupid to nominate him; America will never elect a man named Barack Hussein Obama." Oh but wait, they did. Guess American voters aren't as superficial as you thought, eh?
The problem with your
May 18, 2009 - 11:48 ET by Dan The Man 2The problem with your reasoning it is not cherry picking it is almost all of his associations. And they show he is a character, like a mob boss. His many screwups in only a handfull of months. There are too many problems and they show up like neon, no cherry picking here.
BTW go ahead and pick past presidents apart and give a timeline to go along with it.
JasonC
May 18, 2009 - 19:34 ET by MrShy"Guess American voters aren't as superficial as you thought, eh?"
Um, you're about as wrong as it gets. Enough of them were indeed even more superficial than we feared, to have actually fallen for this man.
And like Dan mentions above, in reality, conversely, you'd have to cherry-pick to find good/NON-unsavory people this creep of a President was close to over the years. A majority of his associations are embarrassments.
You're the next contestant on...
THE MESSIAH IS... LEFT !!
Jason, your quick little mind
May 17, 2009 - 15:55 ET by cocodrieJason, your quick little mind seems incapable of understanding that Present Hussein cannot construct a complete sentence without a teleprompter.
Schaedenfraudey is not a word. If you want to impress me by trying to use a German word, at least spell it correctly. Your insipid little mind failed to exhibit any intelligent capability whatever.
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
Coco, As to the teleprompter,
May 18, 2009 - 08:28 ET by JasonCAs to the teleprompter, that's your opinion and a biased and exaggerated one at that. Since everyone here seems to be so hell-bent on comparing hin to Bush, let's just say that Obama has yet to look half as deer-in-headlights as GWB did after, say, every question in the first 2004 presidential debate. Besides, as I said before, maybe the reason people harped on Bush's errors is because they were actually funny and produced odd or suggestive double meanings. I just have a genuinely hard time believing that, partisan politics aside, you think some hilarious comedic material could be culled from Obama's (possible) inverting of evocative and provocative. However something like "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never
stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and
neither do we" - even if you understand perfectly well what he means, is pretty funny when you think about it literally.
As to your second comment, I'll explain it simply for you. I took a German noun that has been widely appropriated in the English language, and added a 'y' at the end, jokingly suggesting that that turns it into an English adjective. I admit it, it was highly derivative of Stephen Colbert's infamous "truthiness" bit. But that you took it so seriously as an indication that my grasp of Romance languages is weak, is pretty funny.
Kommen nun auf, gib mir ein wenig Kredit. Ich weiß mehr, als dass über Grammatik...
Comparitive to Bush? Not
May 18, 2009 - 08:32 ET by BDComparitive to Bush? Not quite. Bush had trouble reading his teleprompter - he was not a gifted speaker at the formal event which Obama is the master of.
BUT, Bush did VERY well off prompter when he spoke from the heart ... SOmething Obama is either incapable of or unwilling to do. Personally I think he has problems because he cannot speak his true mind when off prompter.
My German grammer is pretty terrible, most Germans I have spoken too tell me I use wonderful terms - in an English Sentance structure which makes them giggle.
Well that's pretty much my
May 18, 2009 - 08:38 ET by JasonCWell that's pretty much my point. I'm not trying to say Bush was an idiot, just that his gaffes tended to actually be funny or to have double meanings. In other words, they actually contained comedic potential. One of WTH's main points seems to be that comedians should harp on Obama's gaffes like they did Bush's b/c that would be fair. But it's about more than just misusing words or messing up sentence structure, it's about whether the resulting error is actually remotely funny.
I personally think Obama's inability to speak off-teleprompter is seriously exaggerated by most conservatives (who, make no mistake, hate him just like the left hated Bush), but of course he's not quite as articulate without notes in front of him...who would be?
Did you ever hear the common 17th-century complaint about Milton? "He writes in Latin with English words."
I disagree. Much of what
May 18, 2009 - 08:49 ET by BDI disagree. Much of what Obama has been doing and saying has been mightily imperious in nature and would normally be fodder for comedy if done by a Cheney, Romney, and Forbes.
Flying in a pizza chef on the public dime to make a pizza for Michelle and family, ordering Kobe Beef at exorbitant cost for another party. Flying a 747 to Williamsburg when Marine 1 would have done a more flxible job because he wanted to use it as a prop at the DNC winter meeting etc.
In his speach yesterday he remarked how the students should consider themselves as lighthouses on their journeys - (Lighthouses don't move).
Apologizing for EVERYTHING in humanityfor past actions real or imagined to the worst thugs in the world.
But Obama gets the classic 10% set aside for "Race Based Initiatives" from the Comedy class.
OK, I'll agree with those
May 18, 2009 - 08:56 ET by JasonCOK, I'll agree with those things, but I thought we were talking specifically about speech gaffes, and only the lighthouse thing applies here. Everything else falls into a somewhat different category, no?
The speech thing is just
May 18, 2009 - 09:01 ET by BDThe speech thing is just symptomatic.
Other examples "We are the ones we have been waiting for." HUH!?
"Everything else falls into
May 18, 2009 - 19:41 ET by MrShy"Everything else falls into a somewhat different category, no?"
Which is??? Some "other category" of amazingly stupid things the media and comedians could have a field day with, were it 2001-1008?
JasonC, do yourself a favor some time and do check out Bush's interview w/ BOR (or, sorry, BOR's interview with Bush :p) that was back in 2007, I think, and you'll find a really great, perfectly articulate enough guy who, for any person that has some ability to judge character, would come away saying, "Wow, he impressed me."
You're the next contestant on...
THE MESSIAH IS... LEFT !!
→ Shy
May 18, 2009 - 19:45 ET by Cool ArrowSome people still believe Obama's uncle liberated Auschwitz.
Maybe that's in a "somewhat different category" too.
Did you hear the one about how JFK paid to get Obama's daddy into the country?
"I was fighting a war in Iraq!" - Nancy Lugosi
Good morning Jason
May 18, 2009 - 08:42 ET by cocodrieNothing can change the reality that Present Hussein cannot speak coherently in public. I have my doubts that he can speak any better in private.
You are right, your use of language is funny. Learn to spell correctly.
When are you going to get off the Bash Bush Bus? Isn't it time you debussed?
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
You have a single example
May 18, 2009 - 08:46 ET by JasonCYou have a single example of that, I suppose?
Where did I "bash Bush"? The nature of WTH's article is why Bush's gaffes were picked on and Obama's are not. I've explained why. I'm no more bashing Bush than you are Obama, and only to make a legitimate comparative point.
Oh, what word did I misspell now? Any fool can see what I was jokingly doing with schaedenfraude...if you're really still on the y at the end to prove something, that would just be sad. Besides, the thought of taking language usage advice from you is just too precious...
Jason
May 18, 2009 - 08:59 ET by cocodrieIt's spelled schadenfreude.
Your lesson for today.
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
Ah, right you are. I'll
May 18, 2009 - 10:27 ET by JasonCAh, right you are. I'll be sure to help you out with spelling and grammar in the future too.
Good morning Jason
May 18, 2009 - 08:42 ET by cocodrieNothing can change the reality that Present Hussein cannot speak coherently in public. I have my doubts that he can speak any better in private.
You are right, your use of language is funny. Learn to spell correctly.
When are you going to get off the Bash Bush Bus? Isn't it time you debussed?
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
"Logic and practical
May 17, 2009 - 10:05 ET by metaphorsbwithu"Logic and practical information do not seem to apply here ..."
What's so strange about watching Star Trek in 1971?
Joe Biden watched them too. On DVDs.
And Al Gore watched re-runs on the internet.
"To deny the facts would be illogical." ;-)
metaphorsbwithu
The arrogance doesn't
May 17, 2009 - 10:37 ET by aericrulesThe arrogance doesn't surprise me at all. I find it humorous to an extent, anyone who blithely assumes themselves to be better than they really are is doomed to be humiliated. We can only hope the Chairman doesn't remove the freedom of dessent completely before that happens!
Nowhere am I so desperately needed as among a shipload of illogical humans.
–SpockObama
http://obamanisms.ne...
Good one!
May 17, 2009 - 10:39 ET by StarAZWhen I read these "wee bit lame" attempts to be like us clingers, I cringe. Then I think, 138 IQ...we're not talking Stephen Hawking here.
Plus...
May 17, 2009 - 10:40 ET by StarAZI heard he didn't like Shrek III as much as Shrek I. He should go on the Rotten Tomatoes Show.
So you're submitting that
May 17, 2009 - 11:02 ET by JasonCSo you're submitting that Obama does indeed have "Very Superior Intelligence"?
danger will robertson
May 17, 2009 - 10:46 ET by kangaroodanger will robertson
Obama is Spock? Doesn't surprise me.
May 17, 2009 - 10:49 ET by CobraManObama claims he's Spock? That doesn't surprise me at all. After all, Spock one remarked "each according to his abilities. (Wrath of Khan)" What does that remind you of? Here's a hint: "From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs."
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus.
The US Supreme Court
Read the Next
May 17, 2009 - 11:00 ET by GothampcIn commenting on Obama, I think you should have gone one question more. In the next question, the interviewer leads Obama to say that the pop philosophy from Star Trek was like the U.N.
The point of Star Trek was to create a utopia where exploration and knowledge were above everything (including capitalism and religion). In the show, it is humans (i.e. Americans) that need to change their philosophy and adapt to the smarter Vulcans.
Is that a foreshadowing of what is to come?
Obama probably
May 17, 2009 - 11:23 ET by OxyCon...flew in Orville Redenbacker to "his house" to make the popcorn, because he deserves only the best popcorn, and he washed it down with his own bathwater to purify himself.
Fabulous. You caught Obama
May 17, 2009 - 12:00 ET by balboaFabulous. You caught Obama in poor word usage and daring to say "my house." Bravo.
Not exactly comedy gold.
So true Bal
May 17, 2009 - 15:35 ET by FastEdbut think of all the new-klee-ear jokes that were thrown around for W - remember that this site is about the 'media bias' that we tend to see, so if the gold is slighly tarnished, think of the pap used in the previous years.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
Hardly seems worth it.
May 17, 2009 - 15:44 ET by balboaHardly seems worth it.
The president refers to a lot of things as HIS.
May 17, 2009 - 12:22 ET by Old SaltBiden is "My" VP, Holder is "My" AG, the cabinet as "My" cabinet. The man is a souless, self-absorbed, sociopath. I'm sure he thinks of us as HIS PEOPLE.
"The notion that ST was a
May 17, 2009 - 12:38 ET by snaggletoothie"The notion that ST was a wee-bit lame is a modern one and one not held by people who actually watched the show." I was around when it was first on. I only watched 2 or 3 all the way through. It was shallow and poorly written. And it was and is mostly a subculture phenomonem. Outside of the subculture it is never even spoken of.
My post...
May 17, 2009 - 13:42 ET by nolotrippen...has been poorly read and understood now by two posters. I thought I was clear that I was referring to the original Star Trek and only the special effects.
"Outside of the subculture it is never even spoken of."
Umm, then why are you posting about it? You're not part of the "subculture" and yet, it's on your radar today. There were a few ST clunkers in terms of writing (especially the last season). Are you a sci-fi fan at all and, if so, what do you like?
When I was a kid I read
May 17, 2009 - 14:06 ET by snaggletoothieWhen I was a kid I read Heinlein and Asimov and I liked the author of 'Catseye.' But I have not read scifi for 35 years. I hear there is much better in the genre but I just never get around to researching and trying anything. I suppose it just isn't my thing.
What contempory writers of the genre do you read? Who do you recommend?
In terms of writers
May 17, 2009 - 14:43 ET by nolotrippentastes are the same.
What Schools did
May 17, 2009 - 15:15 ET by Delsathe president attend?
Who paid for his schooling?
What degrees did he attain and what was his GPA?
He can barely read TOTUS and you can't understand why he doesn't know the difference between "evocative" and "provocative"?
→ Don't you know?
May 17, 2009 - 15:26 ET by Cool ArrowSome even call him "Professor"
"I was fighting a war in Iraq!" - Nancy Lugosi
Some even call him "Professor"
May 17, 2009 - 15:49 ET by needleWould Chris Tingle be one of those?
Impunitas semper ad deteriora invitat.
Jacked-Up Vulcan
May 17, 2009 - 16:27 ET by mizflame98Obama looks more like Bat Boy in that picture than a Vulcan.
“It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds”
Samuel Adams
Can's speak without a prompter
May 17, 2009 - 18:26 ET by GhostbusterI remember when I was in 7th grade and I was supposed to do a presentation for school on the pyramids. To my horror, I accidentally left all my note cards at home that day. What happened? I had to speak from memory. (Incidentally, I did quite well.)
When Obama's teleprompter malfunctions, he can't even continue to speak. He must wait until the prompter is fixed to even move on. The man can't even speak his mind without a pre-prepared statement.
-Ghostbuster
Gb... Yep...it's as simple
May 17, 2009 - 18:33 ET by bigtimerGb...
Yep...it's as simple as that.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
I'm sure speaking as leader
May 17, 2009 - 18:40 ET by balboaI'm sure speaking as leader of the free world is about the same as your 7th grade presentation...
But, I understand that you guys will ride the Great Teleprompter Bandwagon for all it's worth as a kind of payback for all the ribbing about Bush not being able to speak.
So I guess it all comes out in the wash.
Good evening Bal
May 17, 2009 - 19:08 ET by cocodrieI'll get off the bandwagon just as soon as Present Hussein can construct one coherent sentence in a row without a teleprompter.
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
LOL
May 17, 2009 - 20:22 ET by Warner Todd HustonI have to admit it. THAT line made me laugh.
Be sure and visit my home blog PubliusForum.com.
Actually
May 18, 2009 - 18:26 ET by GhostbusterFunny. That's actually the point. Using a teleprompter, note cards, or even reading from a copy is fine, but if something happens where you must go off script, you should have a strong enough grasp on what you are talking about to be able to continue without the aids. Any 7th grader giving a presentation is held to this standard, so the leader of the free world should be able to do something besides read to me from a screen.
-Ghostbuster
Wow bal..
May 18, 2009 - 18:35 ET by JABI see you missed that point all together.
"Too bad Ignorance isn't painful..."
No, I get it: the
May 18, 2009 - 19:53 ET by balboaNo, I get it: the President's an idiot, the President can't speak, etc., etc.
boa... Proud of ya! About
May 18, 2009 - 20:12 ET by bigtimerboa...
Proud of ya!
About time you saw the light. ;-)
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
→ Thanks bal
May 18, 2009 - 20:12 ET by Cool ArrowSo your silence was your way of agreeing with me?
"I was fighting a war in Iraq!" - Nancy Lugosi
I actually hadn't gone back
May 18, 2009 - 20:24 ET by balboaI actually hadn't gone back to that thread since posting. Bachmann's a few rungs up the kook ladder from Obama in my book.
→ bal
May 18, 2009 - 20:28 ET by Cool ArrowGive that book a quick 180. You're holding it upside down.
"I was fighting a war in Iraq!" - Nancy Lugosi
Balboa, the comments about
May 17, 2009 - 22:05 ET by snaggletoothieBalboa, the comments about Obama and his teleprompter have nothing to do with Bush. They are about Obama and his obvious deficets related to thinking and speaking clearly. Your sad inability to let go of the Bush hatred is about you, not Bush. Bush is quiet at home and you're here still ranting about yesterday. Come join us in 2009.
I'm drawing a comparison.
May 18, 2009 - 09:44 ET by balboaI'm drawing a comparison. Nothing I said has anything to do with hating Bush, which I don't.
Are you
May 18, 2009 - 09:49 ET by Warner Todd HustonAre you saying that with a straight face?
Be sure and visit my home blog PubliusForum.com.
Don't hate Bush. Sorry.
May 18, 2009 - 10:22 ET by balboaDon't hate Bush. Sorry.
If Obama were truly as
May 17, 2009 - 22:11 ET by RogerCfromSDIf Obama were truly as intelligent as his sycophants claim him to be, why has he spent so much on legal fees to keep his college and university transcripts (and birth certificate) from being released for others to see? What is he hiding?
As President of the Harvard Law Review, he wrote nothing of note, if at all.
Exactly WHY do people claim he's the brightest president we've 'ever' had? I believe the man is no where near as ingenius he's made out to be.
No one makes as many mistakes as he has in his first 100 days.
A nation cannot be free without a free, unbiased media. We are not free.
roger
May 17, 2009 - 22:32 ET by botghow true, why does he hide his brillance?
“The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race.” -- Chief Justice John Roberts
Skeletons in the Closet
May 18, 2009 - 13:57 ET by ThermistoclesHe my not be brilliant, but he's smart enough to know that he had to pretend to be someone he is not and hide his past in order to get elected. He is a fraud, plain and simple.
He's also smart enough to play the race card, white guilt and the media/hollywood lefty elites for everything they are worth. It's really all about ego and projection and he knows it. These types of comments, especially when they are so obviously overblown, tell us much more about the person making the comment. The MSM jumped the shark long ago.
What do you expect from the first AA POTUS?
May 18, 2009 - 00:22 ET by gmaniac1AA stands for Affirmative Action. I'm sure the guy is intelligent and all, I just have yet to see any real substance out of him. I think he's more intelligent than the stooges that voted for him but then again, so is my dog.
When the people fear the government it's called tyranny, when the government fears the people it's called liberty!
→ I disagree gmaniac
May 18, 2009 - 20:22 ET by Cool ArrowJimmy Carter wasn't an AA POTUS, and he wrote the book on ineptitude.
Of course we're barely into the first chapter on this guy, but he's not the first wide-eyed lefty debutante elected.
"I was fighting a war in Iraq!" - Nancy Lugosi
What is so great about Spock?
May 18, 2009 - 12:46 ET by Peter-in-NYCI mean I know people say Spock is cool... but what is so cool? If a modern day human acted like Spock we'd think he/she was a strange person. If it was a man, we'd think they'd be detached, and a woman... well, she'd be an ice queen, right? Lilith on Cheers was a modern day Spock!
And this lack of emotion, what is so great about that? On Doctor Who there was a whole race without passion, emotion or feeling. They were the Cybermen and they were bad, they were villains and they lost because they have no emotion and were slaves to logic.
Come to think of it the Cybermen wanted everyone to be alike, not to own possessions and they talked about they'd make everyone "better" by serving the Cybermen. I think Obama is more like a Cyberman than Spock!