Barack Obama's speech: Is the president trolling?

[freshwest]

Last edited Wed Oct 23, 2013, 01:51 AM - Edit history (1)

by M.S - Oct 18th 2013



...Barack Obama is very much alive and reads the responses of people who listen to his speeches. We're all trying to interpret him, but he is also trying to interpret us. And the speeches he makes are designed with an understanding of how we are likely to interpret them. Mr Obama is surely aware that in the eyes of several powerful interpretive communities, particularly those of active liberals and of the mainstream media, full-throated condemnations of Republicans sound partisan and upsetting, while careful denunciations of "extremism" and calls for pragmatic compromise sound mature and comforting. At the same time, he is also aware of how committed conservatives see him; he makes this clear by referring to those "who think that my policies are misguided—and that's putting it mildly." And I suspect he is aware that when he speaks in the voice of the calm centrist, conservatives go bananas.

So what I'm wondering is: at this point, when Barack Obama talks like a centrist, delivers civics lessons and declares his willingness to consider all viewpoints, is he trolling Republicans?

Is he betting that by sticking to scrupulously neutral bipartisan language, even when his criticisms clearly refer to tea-party Republicans, he will drive them into ever-more-extreme paroxysms of hatred?

I don't know. Even if he were doing this, I'm not sure what other option he has than to embrace the language of bipartisanship. Maybe I'm overthinking the whole thing. But at a minimum, it's interesting to think about how Mr Obama decides on the language he uses, when the two audiences he's speaking to will interpret every statement through such different lenses...

http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2013/10/barack-obamas-speech?spc=scode&spv=xm&ah=9d7f7ab945510a56fa6d37c30b6f1709

The video referred to:

President Barack Obama Speaks on Reopening The Government (Oct. 17th, 2013)

This is the BOG. Read the SOP. No trolling is allowed here. TIA.

4 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	Obama wouldn't troll Republicans.
	0 (0%)
	Obama opened a can of whup ass.
	3 (75%)
	Can a troll be trolled?
	0 (0%)
	Where is the bridge to send the GOP back to?
	1 (25%)
	Obama makes King Kong look like a little troll doll on a keychain.
	0 (0%)
	Rand Paul is a troll.
	0 (0%)
	Paul Ryan is a troll.
	0 (0%)
	Carnival Cruz is king of the trolls.
	0 (0%)
	Mitch McConell can't be a troll, he's a turtle.
	0 (0%)
	What did I leave out?
	0 (0%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[sheshe2]

1. Obama opened a can of whup ass!

1. whupass

a liquid: a source of destructive power accessible to an aggressor: usually referred to as a quantity of whupass ( as in a can of... or bucket of... ). Use of whupass implies that destruction of the aggressor's foe will be a complete immolation of some sort.
"I'm gonna rip open a bucket of whupass and pour it all over you."

2. whupass
The process of causing harm to something or someone to the extent of causing significant damage, usually extensive. The process of inflicting a shitload of pain on a person.
That ninja opened up a can of whupass on those thugs who tried to mug him.

3. whupass
(Us.) The process of 'whupping someone's ass' (beating them, usually in combat). Can be used in the term 'can of whupass'.
"I'm gonna open up a can of whupass on you, fool!"

4. whupass
The official drink of the Florida St. Seminoles, a powerhouse drink, used to shut out an opponent.
I sent a parcel of whup-ass to all of the Bears opponents of 2003-2004 season. The 49ners was the first recipient of it.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=whupass&defid=39277




Thank you, freshwest! Excellent poll!

[Tigress DEM]

2. It's called talking like a grown up when the kids are out of control.

Just trying to give them the basic facts without adding to the crazy juice in the air.

BUT he's a smart guy. If THEY go bonkers and he remains calm, who looks like the fool then?

[freshwest]

3. He's giving the insane clown posse a stage to show off their bonkersness!

And love the sig line.



SOMETHING ABOUT A LANDSLIDE... 303 no 29 MORE, WOW

That was one fo the best parts of that show...

[Tigress DEM]

5. THE attitude is MY cat, but grey egyptian mau - basically tabby with spots too and TINY.

Had an orange tabby, but she was such a sweetie. Get home at night and she's circling me until I get a lap so she can jump up in it and snuggle. She was called Sunnie - short for Sunshine... and she was.

[IrishAyes]

4. Great to start the day with a fun poll like that.

It might even have a meritorious effect on my own behavior. I like behaving like an adult too, but the child within breaks out sometimes.

[Hekate]

6. Definitely a can of whupass. How does he remain so calm and centered while opening & delivering it?

It's a puzzlement.