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The oldest wanted to go see the Hall of Presidents. They really pay attention to detail when they design their robots. Obama’s teleprompter looked realistic as hell.

(Shameless stolen from http://voidwhereprohibited.typepad.com in #gunblogger_conspiracy)

posted @ 1/19/2011 2:13:34 PM

Comments

Phoronus says:

on 1/19/2011 2:28:12 PM

Of all the jabs and jokes from right leaning people about Obama that I've heard, I just don't get that one. Of course he uses a teleprompter. So what? It doesn't even, I don't think, tag the 'intellectualism is bad' meme that is so common in the jokes from the right.

Miguel says:

on 1/19/2011 3:40:51 PM

Now that's funny as hell.....

Phoronus, that's OK. We know that some oj your side aren't quite as bright as you advertise We'll get the crayolas and will draw you a cute explanation with kitties and puppies and pop tarts......

Miguel says:

on 1/19/2011 3:42:10 PM

PS: I really have to proofread before posting.....

"some on your side"

Linoge says:

on 1/19/2011 8:30:26 PM

I suppose asking a person to speak from memory would just be too much, eh? Seems that was a trait superior men of his position used to possess...

But, regardless, I think Miguel nailed it - jokes are only funny if they are not about Our Glorious President.

Darin says:

on 1/20/2011 12:32:59 AM

Phoronus, here's the easy explanation. Obama is an eloquent speaker in front of the teleprompter. Get him off script, and he's "uh"-ing and "um"-ing all over the place. Presentation 101 is to not use those words.

Then add to the fact that he's had little minor events (like speaking at a classroom) where the teleprompters are in effect.

And, certainly, if he had to memorize all the speeches, he'd probably speak the same way. It's just a very visible crutch, and shows up at awkward times.

Phoronus says:

on 1/20/2011 8:26:55 AM

Thanks Linoge and Darin for not being jerks.

I get that now. I'll admit I don't find it funny, but it makes sense. I do think the 'people used to memorize them' part to be a little specious, memorizing a speech seems (to me) to be a waste of time when technology can be so helpful.

I guess, to me, it seems kind of like the left making fun of GWB for, I don't know, his haircut or something. It's something awfully insignificant, really, and it's something that isn't restricted to just the target of the joke. (Using prompters isn't exactly an 'Obama only' thing.) Though maybe it could be compared to those 'George Bush looks like a monkey' images that were floating around a few years ago. I didn't think those were all that funny either.

Anyway, thanks for the explanation.

Robb Allen says:

on 1/20/2011 8:37:54 AM

Phoronus,

I meant to reply but got sidetracked.

When I was taking a speech class in college, we had to watch a taping of Elizabeth Dole, not for the political message, but to show how proper speaking is done.

She had cards that she would look to every here and there, but she made eye contact with people. In fact, she walked through the audience because she had specific people she wanted to discuss things with.

I do not begrudge a speaker a teleprompter, cards, or writing crib notes on their hands (oh how the left crucified Palin for 3 little pen written lines while their savior cannot speak without every word written for him).

Obama was supposed to be this phenomenal speaker. His oratory skills were said to be some of the best we could ever hope to hear. But being unable to speak without a teleprompter illustrates the fallacy that he's a great speaker.

Clinton was a great speaker. Reagan was a great speaker. Kennedy was a great speaker. Yes they used notes and whatnot, but they didn't have to read what they were saying.

Yes, it's petty. But I'm not making fun of Obama here to score political points, I'm doing it because it's just base humor.

In fact, I really enjoyed the way they got all the other presidents to face palm when W. said 'Nucular'.

Phoronus says:

on 1/20/2011 8:48:24 AM

Robb,

Thanks for the reply.

Just speaking for myself, the humor of Palin's hand notes was more the childishness/unprofessionalism of it. I'd make a joke about any of my coworkers writing notes on their hands.

Well, I disagree, but I get where you're coming from. I don't think speaking with a teleprompter means you're not a great orator. But that's just a difference of opinion.

Well, they all used teleprompters at least for their big speeches(http://kennedyfoundation.org/Asset-Viewer/qVm0vY9HWECul_frrBFMFw.aspx for an example). And then we're just at the point where Obama uses them more. Which is a valid criticism, but it just seams so weak.

Well sure, and I'm definitely not going to begrudge you base humor on your own blog. :) I still don't think it's funny, per se, but I get the gist of it at least.

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