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Row6 · 02-25-2013, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim85

I just have to disagree with this. I've never seen such hatred and vitriol spewed against someone like I did against Bush II right before he was reelected. I mean, it seemed like pure hatred from a lot of people. I remember seeing specific stuff of people digging in at Laura too during that time. Row6, both sides are guilty of the same thing, and I think as long as you keep thinking that your side is any different or better than the other - the less truth you will actually see. The fact is also, Laura wasn't nearly as visible as Michelle makes herself out to be. She's now been on Nickelodeon, multiple talk-shows, Late-Nite television, and an awards ceremony -- it makes her a lot more visible and open to criticism.

Sorry, but Laura did not get anything like this. W did, but that's his job, just like it's Obama's. Nancy R got a lot of criticism, but probably because she has a somewhat icy disposition and was seen as too much the power behind the throne.

It's true that Laura had a lower profile, but I liked seeing her be the 1st lady and wouldn't have objected to seeing more of her. Sure it's largely fluff, but for most Americans it's unifying fluff - our version of the Queen, and hopefully someone we can identify with and feel proud of as countrymen.

For those who can't get enough Michelle (with Jimmy Fallon in drag):

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Row6 · 02-25-2013, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allanon

My opinion is that it was totally uncalled for, no matter what political party or non-party was involved. Unless it is someone that has a connection to Hollywood it just has no place there.

Kennedy Center Honors? That's almost all show biz stuff and has been hosted by everyone from Nancy and Ronnie to Michelle and Barak.

BobK89 · 02-25-2013, 06:12 PM

This didn't bother me at all. However, I couldn't tell whether this was live or taped. (I.e. she was taped announcing every movie as the winner and they just plugged in 'Argo' at the last minute.

As for Laura Bush, I distinctly remember some on the left critical of her connection to a vehicular death and described this with ridicule.

Sent from my iPhone using GatorCountry

Row6 · 02-25-2013, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wygator

Though not elected, she is a political figure and every appearance she makes has a political undercurrent.

True, for some, but most Americans probably don't see it that way. Except for campaign season 1st lady's stick to pretty non-controversial and apolitical stuff, like Laura's reading campaigns and Michelle's exercise campaign. I think Academy Awards fit in that description.

Tim85 · 02-25-2013, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 108

why are you comparing the First Lady with a previous president?

much of the bush hate was because of the Iraq War, which has been proven to be a very just reason for criticism

I mentioned Laura. Reread.

wargunfan · 02-25-2013, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichiGator2002

And yet, it is somehow insulting when Obama is called "celebrity in chief". These two have a compulsive need for self-promotion -- pop culture promotion, not political. It pretty much ruined the broadcast for me, the realization that there is literally no cultural touchstone, not event, that the Obama's do not think they should have some sort of guest-starring role in. It is... juvenile, frankly.

The words "shallow" and "vapid" come to mind.

Tim85 · 02-25-2013, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by channingcrowderhungry

Was everyone equally as upset when Nancy Reagan threw out the first pitch of the 88 world series?

I pitched a fit, pooped in my pants, and refused to eat.

But I was also only three years old, so - maybe that's not the same.

Row6 · 02-25-2013, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim85

I mentioned Laura. Reread.

You did, but started out talking about all the grief W got. Hellooo!!! We all know Laura wasn't the recipient or even intended target of that vitriol, earned or not.

Allanon · 02-25-2013, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Row6

Kennedy Center Honors? That's almost all show biz stuff and has been hosted by everyone from Nancy and Ronnie to Michelle and Barak.

It is a totally different thing than the Academy Awards. Just as it would be a totally different thing if Nancy and/or Ronald Reagan had some part in the Academy Awards Show since they were a part of Hollywood.

Tim85 · 02-25-2013, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Row6

You did, but started out talking about all the grief W got. Hellooo!!! We all know Laura wasn't the recipient or even intended target of that vitriol, earned or not.

I started out talking about W, because I was reflecting back on it -- I remember reading plenty of things on Laura too. Obviously I can't just give you a lot of specific instances of it because it was nearly ten years ago, but I remember there were plenty of things about her on the left that is just as bad as Michelle gets now. Part of that extreme vitriol spewed towards her husband wasn't just isolated, of course some of it leaked onto her too. I don't buy into the whole, "oh your side is so much worse than our side"-debate. It's the same on both sides -- both of them have extremists who say and do terrible things and cross the line.

MichiGator2002 · 02-25-2013, 06:20 PM

It by no means could have been achieved by having a 30 second prerecorded PSA running with the commercials right after a major award was given, like Best Actress or something.

Nope. The only reasonable or convenient means of showing that the Obama's care about the arts was for the First Lady to present Best Picture herself. It is... it is crass, and probably even racist, to suggest that there was any personal aggrandizement in that for her or her husband.

Row6 · 02-25-2013, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allanon

It is a totally different thing than the Academy Awards. Just as it would be a totally different thing if Nancy and/or Ronald Reagan had some part in the Academy Awards Show since they were a part of Hollywood.

"Different" is different than "totally different". They are very similar events of almost zero substance and based on honoring entertainers and even occasional artists. So what? I wouldn't have a problem with either of the Reagan's announcing a winner.

Lighten' up.

108 · 02-25-2013, 06:22 PM

Tim85, i got to call bs on your original statement that you don't have a problem with it....

you clearly have a problem with it, maybe not huge, but enough to waste your time with it

Row6 · 02-25-2013, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim85

I started out talking about W, because I was reflecting back on it -- I remember reading plenty of things on Laura too. Obviously I can't just give you a lot of instances of it because it was nearly ten years ago, but I remember there were plenty of things about her on the left that is just as bad as Michelle gets now. Part of that extreme vitriol spewed towards her husband wasn't just isolated, of course some of it leaked onto her too. I don't buy into the whole, "oh your side is so much worse than our side"-debate. It's the same on both sides -- both of them have extremists who say and do terrible things and cross the line.

We disagree, and yes, I was both conscious and politically aware then, as now.

Row6 · 02-25-2013, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichiGator2002

It by no means could have been achieved by having a 30 second prerecorded PSA running with the commercials right after a major award was given, like Best Actress or something.

Nope. The only reasonable or convenient means of showing that the Obama's care about the arts was for the First Lady to present Best Picture herself. It is... it is crass, and probably even racist, to suggest that there was any personal aggrandizement in that for her or her husband.

"Crass"!!! Yes indeed, the reverential, circumspect, and solemn occasion of our Academy Awards ceremony was ruined by the 1st Lady having fun, and apparently at your expense. The horror! The horror!

Tim85 · 02-25-2013, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 108

Tim85, i got to call bs on your original statement that you don't have a problem with it....

you clearly have a problem with it, maybe not huge, but enough to waste your time with it

I said I don't have a huge problem with it, not that I didn't have a problem with it at all. I really don't think it's a big deal -- but I started this thread, which I don't often do, I guess I felt like it was my obligation to keep the discussion going and trying to at least get some insight from it, which I certainly have.

Sometimes things don't seem like a big deal, and sometimes they do, but you might not know until later on down the road until you've really stewed on it, or discussed it with someone. I saw this was going around the news-world and no one had started a topic on it, so I thought it might be interesting.

Here's a link to something criticizing Laura in 2004:

Quote:

The John F. Kerry for President campaign and Kerry supporters took aim at First Lady Laura Bush today, claiming in a new book by Kitty Kelly that Laura Bush both sold and smoked marijuana during her days at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. This explosive new allegation signals a new strategy by Kerry supporters to target not only President Bush with charges of drug use in his past, but the First Lady as well.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1210194/posts

Quote:

Laura Bush is Disgraceful

http://www.allthingsdemocrat.com/201...s-disgraceful/

These are just random findings, sure, but my point is -- if you really want to look, there's plenty of criticisms towards her.

Allanon · 02-25-2013, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Row6

"Different" is different than "totally different". They are very similar events of almost zero substance and based on honoring entertainers and even occasional artists. So what? I wouldn't have a problem with either of the Reagan's announcing a winner.

Lighten' up.

Yes, you should lighten up.

MichiGator2002 · 02-25-2013, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Row6

"Crass"!!! Yes indeed, the reverential, circumspect, and solemn occasion of our Academy Awards ceremony was ruined by the 1st Lady having fun, and apparently at your expense. The horror! The horror!

This is the exact reply I would expect from someone whose eye landed on the word crass and didn't read the satirical paragraph in which it was situated.

**ncgatr1** · 02-25-2013, 06:44 PM

Does any rational and realistic person even watch the Oscars? I never understood giving awards to people so irrelevant in our daily lives. Maybe that's why Michelle was there.

Allanon · 02-25-2013, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncgatr1

Does any rational and realistic person even watch the Oscars? I never understood giving awards to people so irrelevant in our daily lives. Maybe that's why Michelle was there.

Yes they do.