At the top of the Saturday Washington Post Style section is the headline "The Hard Core of Cool: Confidence, Grace, And Underneath It All, the Need to Be Recognized." Right next to the headline is a Reuters photo of Sen. Barack Obama, his head tilted up and eyes gazing toward the heavens. It's an essay by Metro section columnist (and former Post reporter) Donna Britt, part of the Post's ongoing "Being A Black Man" series.
Britt theorized that while white, Latino, and Asian men "have been deemed cool, black men remain cool's most imitated, consistent arbiters. I mean, there's cool -- and then there's brothercool. (Italics hers.) Think of Barack Obama's instantaneous ascension to 'coolest man in Congress.'"
The black exceptionalism continued:
"Cool is grace made masculine, the seamless melding of emotional authority with physical poise. It's so innately male that its association with black men -- whose masculinity and sexuality have for centuries inspired fear and fascination -- seems inevitable. The connection is so strong that any honest examination of cool must have black men at its center."
But for people who didn't read this long essay all the way to the end, they received the usual visual cues: Obama equals sizzle.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Actually, the Post's descript
December 30, 2006 - 11:52 ET by Chris NormanActually, the Post's description of Obama equals a finger down one's throat..
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
You have got to be kidding!Pe
December 30, 2006 - 11:56 ET by bigtimerYou have got to be kidding!
Period!
Talk about reverse racism!
Hypocrital and all that jazz!
By the way...Obama is not handsome by any means or supercool or brothercool, or anything else but a leftist through and through....only in your dreams Donna, and other loony lefties.
Gonna give Hillary a run for her money though....(they may team up later, time will tell)
"If we ever forget that we are a Nation Under God....then we will be a Nation Gone Under." Ronald Reagan
bt,Where did all of this talk
December 30, 2006 - 12:06 ET by Chris Normanbt,
Where did all of this talk of "cool" come from? Since when do we elect our presidents based on their "coolness factor"? If this was Republican-based (which I doubt would ever happen), the Post would be condemning all of the silliness. Instead, they and the rest of the MSM are behaving like screeching teenage girls at a bubble gum rock concert (no offense meant towards teenage girls).
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Morning to ya Chris.......and
December 30, 2006 - 12:19 ET by bigtimerMorning to ya Chris....
...and now to your post you have that EXACTLY right!
"If we ever forget that we are a Nation Under God....then we will be a Nation Gone Under." Ronald Reagan
All this talk of "cool
December 30, 2006 - 17:50 ET by John in CAAll this talk of "cool" started with the election of Bill Clinton. Ever since then it's all been about how empathetic our president seems to be. How they can bite their lip and say something with a quivering, on the verge of sobs, voice that shows that they feel your pain.
The sad thing is that this ploy seems to work. With this article it's an attempt to appeal to women. Women, as a whole, seem to vote in the majority for these type of candidates. Women elected Bill Clinton. In 2004, women voted for John F'ing Kerry in a majority - like 51 or 52%.
Now, I know that the women, or type of women, who would frequent a site like NB'ers are not so easily fooled. But, women in general vote for the empathetic candidate. The one who will protect their right to choose, etc.
And that's what this piece of tripe article is all about. If women don't vote for Barack, he won't get elected.
Give a Democrat Party free America a chance!
Well Chris
December 31, 2006 - 05:28 ET by SportPoliticsAs it was put to me earlier Chris, the democrats need someone to WORSHIP. Wether or not it is their lack of faith, or their empty craven inner crushed and disabled child, I do not know, but in the end it makes them all shiney and bright, as long as they can mesmerize themselves into that special place where they have a false hero to bow down to and carry the light of the world for them.
They called Obama the "Bronze Man" last time I read one of these worship pieces, and of course the Golden Calf at the foot of Mount Ararat comes to mind.
Now, speaking of bronzeboy ( the innocent child fits a liberals view of the perfect fantasy world they pretend is around us for their chosen one to govern ), and speaking of racism, I'd still like to know why a half black, half white person is BLACK. Any liberal willing to give me the straight up cool on that ?
I mean let's face it, he's WHITE.
Oh wait, that's uhhh... well it doesn't fit the liberals victimology or inherent demand that evil republicans stop their racist plans and policies and opressions.
So let me get this straight democrats. When a person has an all white mother, and presumably a mostly black father, what comes out is a black person for you. How is it that what comes out is not a white person ? Are you only looking "skin deep" liberals ?
I'd just like to smash a couple dozen liberals and democrats upside their stupid noggins over that. Only a couple dozen, that should quell the fury. Sorry, a cuff to the melon won't do it. I want to SMASH them one, knuckles first, just because they're so damned stupid.
When asking the innocent citizen why they like that guy Obama, a blank stare was issued, and no answer was available. Further asking what has he ever done, no answer was available. The citizen does not know, but the MSM won the battle anyway. The bronzed god of idolatry has been crowned.
Well, it's easy to be terrib
December 30, 2006 - 12:12 ET by BlondeWell, it's easy to be terribly "cool" when everyone is so obsequious, and so admiring, and not one serious nor difficult question has been posed.
We shall see how quickly the cool melts when all of this shameless fawning is over with.
Both Obama and Hillary are going to melt faster than the Wicked Witch of the West once a little bit of pressure is put on.
I only hope it's in a very public, and very embarrasing fashion.
I'm trying to get this right.
December 30, 2006 - 12:24 ET by acaiguanaI'm trying to get this right.
We are supposed to choose from a shrieking ex-wife model and a guy who is 'cool' with a name similar to the guy that just hanged in Iraq, was behind the WTC bombing and who stares at the heavens?
I love the Democrats. Absurdity was never any better. It is going to be hard to parady them next year.
ACA
...
Acaiguana says: "Which city is next?"
aca....As to your last senten
December 30, 2006 - 12:26 ET by bigtimeraca....
As to your last sentence......Rush will find a way!
Have a great and healthy New Year btw!
"If we ever forget that we are a Nation Under God....then we will be a Nation Gone Under." Ronald Reagan
ACA,It is going to be hard to
December 30, 2006 - 12:47 ET by BlondeACA,
It is going to be hard to parady them next year.
No need. They're doing such a fine job of it themselves.
If they were any more shallow, they'd not get wet stepping in a puddle.
Blonde
December 31, 2006 - 05:51 ET by SportPoliticsBlonde, I watched some months ago the Bill Clinton trilogy or whatever the heck it was on c-span. Hours and hours of legacy (enhancement - as if that were possible).
They all fawned over him as if in awe, for hours, and hours, and hours on end, and hours, and more. NOT A SINGLE CRITICISM. Not one. Of course he was surrounded by only the worshipful, the entire time, even in commentary outside his prescence on the scene. All criticism the entire show for hours and hours and hours was directed at republicans.
That's how they do it. It's a rule, it must be total and complete WORSHIP. The tiniest percieved slight is completely disallowed, and days, hours and years are put into practice to achieve that goal. That's what "being sensitive" really means to the liberals.
Kerry skated through his entire election cycle with the plan to tell the people as little as possible and never take any position he could be held to. That's ok with the living and breathing liberal tards, because their player has a right to change their minds at any moment, it's called progressive growth and allowing evolution to occur. Learning. Changing. Becoming a Human Being. Then "Inside the Bubble" the documentary with 500 hours of Kerry backroom election antics came out, and the left deep sixxed it, and denounced the liberal filmaker who produced it. Probably none of us have seen it, I have only found one single web reference story available when I looked, it was a short few paragraphs on an obscure website. Soon after Time magazine came out with Bush on the cover and titled it " Inside the Bubble"( the brilliant redirect of attack and labelling - snowing the masses into thinking the originbation and phrase was put on Bush, and making them forget the Kerry campaign documentary), and the google engine did the rest. The dems started calling Bush "bubbleboy" on TV. How Bush lives in a bubble and doesn't listen to anything but the yes men he is surrounded by, with the forced and demanded extreme loyalty....on and on and on.
Glad democrats don't talk their **** to my face.
TIME magazine needs to stay away from me.
SportPolitics
December 31, 2006 - 07:14 ET by DontFeedTheTrolls'Inside the Bubble', by Steve Rosenbaum is available at Netflix, and, I assume, elsewhere.
DSG
Wacko
December 30, 2006 - 12:30 ET by iveseenitallMy God! Can liberalism get any more wacko than is personified in this woman? I can envision the sliva dripping from her mouth (a la Helen Thomas).This is sick.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
Obama: Ask not what you can
December 30, 2006 - 12:42 ET by TheTruthObama: Ask not what you can do for your country; ask what your country can do for you.
TT.....Bingo! Isn't that th
December 30, 2006 - 12:46 ET by bigtimerTT.....Bingo! Isn't that the truth!
The real leftists MOTTO!
You put it perfectly!
"If we ever forget that we are a Nation Under God....then we will be a Nation Gone Under." Ronald Reagan
chapstick time
December 30, 2006 - 13:06 ET by misterbill"Long, lithe and fluid as the river by his side, the man seemed to be gliding. Bareheaded, he wore a white, ankle-skimming djellaba from some sultry, equatorial nation."
So much ass-kissing causes sore lips. Talk about a fatuous woman-piece. It reads like the old movie mags going gaga over James Dean.
Continuing on (my words):
And underneath, a cape and a big red "S" on his chest. Steel hard yet soft, I dreamed of him lifting me in his arms and leaping to the top of the nearest tall building. OOOOOOOOOOH!!!!!!
Wake up woman.
misterb....LMAO!Btw.....You f
December 30, 2006 - 13:16 ET by bigtimermisterb....LMAO!
Btw.....You forgot to add you 'crazy' woman!
Happy New Year to you and all your family!
"If we ever forget that we are a Nation Under God....then we will be a Nation Gone Under." Ronald Reagan
BT Happy returns
December 30, 2006 - 14:30 ET by misterbill"Btw.....You forgot to add you 'crazy' woman!" (crazy about her husband, family, friends)
You know that can be used in a loving way too --so Happy New Year to you, you crazy, lovely woman and to all your family. May God's blessing protect you all and bring you good cheer.
misterb.....Why thank you kin
December 30, 2006 - 14:34 ET by bigtimermisterb.....
Why thank you kind sir.
You and yours have a healthy, jubilant, coming year too...and many many more!
"If we ever forget that we are a Nation Under God....then we will be a Nation Gone Under." Ronald Reagan
He's got some really cool e
December 30, 2006 - 13:32 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsHe's got some really cool ears too. Kinda like Dumbo.
DSG
dftt -went to your link
December 30, 2006 - 14:26 ET by misterbillwent to your link LMAO--copied this for laughs:
"Fly along with Dumbo as he discovers his ability to soar using his oversized ears. Take your own spin around the circus ring as you control how high or low to fly. This endearing attraction is certain to elicit nostalgic smiles from children of all ages who encounter its warm charms."
Obama will do well if he doesn't encounter strong headwinds. LOL
Obama is all smoke and mirror
December 30, 2006 - 16:17 ET by Eric TurnerObama is all smoke and mirrors.
First of all he has no experience. He actually has less experience then John Edwards (you remember him - Kerry's running mate?). And John Edwards had very little experience to begin with!
Secondly, check out his Interest Group Ratings at http://www.votesmart.... Where he has a rating it is so very similiar to Hillary Clinton's as to make them the same.
Third, Hillary Clinton is more conservative in many areas than he is. Which is comparable to saying the pot is blacker than that kettle (no racial undertones intended).
Fourth, you can afford to be "diplomatic" and "well-spoken" when no one knows what you're really about. You can make it up as you go along. Anyone who has moved around a lot in the military knows this.
Fifth, I can't believe I'm saying any of this because I wouldn't vote for him, Clinton, a Kennedy, or any other scum-sucking liberal democrat even if there was no other political party in America. As long as they continue to support the things they do they will NEVER have my vote. I'd vote for a dog sooner than vote for a liberal.
Fourth, you can afford to b
December 30, 2006 - 17:16 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsFourth, you can afford to be "diplomatic" and "well-spoken" when no one knows what you're really about.
This struck a chord when I read it and made me think, what/who does that remind me of. I couldn't think of what it was till now.
Here is the story of Barack Obama, the wisest man nobody knows. If you've ever seen this movie, you know Peter Sellers was a delight as Chauncey Gardner.
DSG
Armyvet wrote: "Obama
December 30, 2006 - 18:03 ET by TelemarkTumaloArmyvet wrote:
"Obama is all smoke and mirrors."
"First of all he has no experience. He actually has less experience
then (sic) John Edwards (you remember him - Kerry's running mate?). And John
Edwards had very little experience to begin with!"
Actually, Obama has more political experience currently than either President Bush or Senator Edwards had at the time they ran for national office.
George W. Bush - prior political experience: 6 years as Governor of Texas
John Edwards - prior political experience : 5 years as Senator of N. Carolina
Barack Obama - prior political experience: 8 years Illinois State Senator, 2 years U.S. Senate as of today (4 years if he decides to run in 2008)
State Senator?As opposed to G
December 30, 2006 - 18:16 ET by BlondeState Senator?
As opposed to Governor of one of the largest states in the country?
Care to re-think that little bit of silliness?
BTW, name me the last U.S. Senator elected to the presidency.
Elected directly from Senat
December 30, 2006 - 18:24 ET by John in CAElected directly from Senate to President was John Kennedy. But we all know that.
I'm inclined not to favor a candidate coming from the Congress, Senator nor Representative. To me they are way to inclined to concensus and compromise. Such is the way of life in Congress. Yes, I know that even a President has to compromise on some things. I just don't want that to be the default position, which seems to be a Congressman's default position.
That's one of the reasons I'm not high on Newt Gingrich as a candidate. Yes, I think he has some great policy positions and ideas. But he spent too long in the House and I'm afraid he's too amenable to compromise. I think he'd be a great Cabinet appointment, or even a policy advisor to a President. He could have great influence in that role.
Give a Democrat Party free America a chance!
And so, Barack Hussein Obam
December 30, 2006 - 18:27 ET by John in CAAnd so, Barack Hussein Obama was a state senator? Just what did he do in that position? What was his voting record?
Just this week heard a lady on a radio show who is an Illinois political observer. She said that Barack often voted present rather than a yes or no. I've yet to dig into this and try to find his state senate record, but it's going to be interesting to see if the driveby media examines this part of his political life.
Give a Democrat Party free America a chance!
Barack Obama - prior politi
December 30, 2006 - 19:57 ET by Jack BauerBarack Obama - prior political experience: 8 years Illinois State
Senator, 2 years U.S. Senate as of today (4 years if he decides to run
in 2008)
Precisely. ZERO experience as a chief executive. Zero experience running anything, except running a campaign of stunning emptiness.
Though he did take time out of his busy schedule to warn MoDowd against ever mentioning his BIG EARS in print again.
That's SO Presidential.
What has he DONE since leaving college that involved any private enterprise?
Proud member of the all-powerful and vast militarist/industrialist/capitalist/zionist-bagelist complex
Jack Bauer wrote about Bara
December 30, 2006 - 20:28 ET by TelemarkTumaloJack Bauer wrote about Barack Obama:
"That's SO Presidential.
What has he DONE since leaving college that involved any private enterprise?"
Well, I don't know much about his experience at all in private enterprise, but I'm assuming by your phrasing that there is a link between success in private enterprise with success in the oval office (and vice versa if our current President is any measure). George W. Bush tried and failed miserably at running two oil companies in the 80's, losing millions of investment dollars channelled in his direction by the friends of his father. He only managed to escape total loss of his personal investments when he managed to sell a large portion of his companies' stock days for total collapse of the share prices. His only business success was as managing partner of the Texas Rangers in which he managed to turn a $600,000 initial investment into a $15 million dollar profit when he sold his interests in 1998 after the city of Arlington built the team a remarkable baseball stadium at taxpayer expense. Unfortunately for the Ranger's fans, the team never made it to the playoffs during Mr. Bush's tenure. No, Mr. Bush was no more successful in business than he has been as President. His approval ratings by the electorate are fairly consistent with his track record in the private sector.
Hello TelemarkTumalo, just
December 30, 2006 - 21:23 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsHello TelemarkTumalo, just wondering, are you a paid shill for Obama or have you simply been entranced by his speech writers ability to engage? I am sure you have seen (if you have given it any thought), aside from his mesmerizing speech writers, there is no 'there' there, so what enthralls you? Please, without slamming some other elected official, tell us what, exactly, he has done, stands for, offers the public, etc.. If you are a paid shill, would you please own up to it?
DSG
I actually know very little
December 31, 2006 - 14:27 ET by TelemarkTumaloI actually know very little about Obama than what is available in the press and on line. I have no interest in him other than what is being generated by the press and by political bloggers (including a few on this site). The political process will determine if he shall be a candidate for President or VP. I don't know enough about him as yet to know whether he would be deserving of my vote. I agree that he is a political novice and like most politicians, probably feels a gravitation toward power. Name one Republican or Democrat who does not fit this bill. I apparently raised the ire of a few when I responded to the posting about his lack of political experience. I made no subjective comments in my posting, but only stated the facts that he has more public service experience in elected office than either George W. Bush or John Edwards had when they first ran for President and VP respectively. One can argue that the position of Governor is better for presidential training than is state Senator and that being Vice-President is better training than all of the above. However, I believe that strength of character, intelligence, honesty and a cool head are more important than experience.
Bush's 6 years as an executiv
December 31, 2006 - 01:58 ET by UnsaneBush's 6 years as an executive trumps both your idols Edwards and Obama.
Let us review the last 50 years of Presidents, and their last political post before becoming President:
Eisenhower: Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (not a democratically voted on position, to be sure, but one where you are expected to act in an executive manner)
Kennedy: MA Senator
Johnson: VP
Nixon: VP (failed CA gubernatorial candidate, 1962)
Ford: VP
Carter: GA Governor
Reagan: CA Governor
Bush the Elder: VP
Clinton: AR Governor
Bush the Younger: TX Governor
History indicates, therefore, that executive experience counts most when you run for President. So Obama has years of experience in the IL Senate and a whopping 2 years in the U.S. Senate. So what? If these men want to be taken seriously as Presidential candidates, I suggest they run for governor in their respective states.
"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy." -Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman (1874-1965)
I bet Donna thinks that all b
December 30, 2006 - 16:19 ET by tracheostomyI bet Donna thinks that all black men are great dancers too.
"Ohhh, it's twue. . .IT'S TWUE!"
-PJ
http://www.draftcondi.us/
I can guarantee the next step
December 30, 2006 - 19:18 ET by Andrew H.I can guarantee the next step is for most of these "writers" will be to start calling him centrist. So much for honest research. What a joke.
Liberalism is a convenient lie.
Sufferin' sufferage
December 30, 2006 - 21:02 ET by nkviking75If all women were like this one, this article would be a great argument for taking the vote away from them. Thankfully, that's not the case.
Blacknuss
December 30, 2006 - 21:36 ET by entRegarding Obama's blackness, if he were a Republican, the liberals would be pelting him with Oreo cookies at his public appearances. Not exactly an authentic black American.
Which may be what makes the liberals so gaga over him -- he will get the overwhelming plurality of the black vote because he's black, and white voters will be able to vote for him, too, because they know he's not.