posted on November 18, 2008 11:10:45 AM new
From Andy Borowitz:
November 18, 2008
Obama’s Use of Complete Sentences Stirs Controversy
Stunning Break with Last Eight Years
In the first two weeks since the election, President-elect Barack Obama has broken with a tradition established over the past eight years through his controversial use of complete sentences, political observers say.
Millions of Americans who watched Mr. Obama's appearance on CBS' "Sixty Minutes" on Sunday witnessed the president-elect's unorthodox verbal tick, which had Mr. Obama employing grammatically correct sentences virtually every time he opened his mouth.
But Mr. Obama's decision to use complete sentences in his public pronouncements carries with it certain risks, since after the last eight years many Americans may find his odd speaking style jarring.
According to presidential historian Davis Logsdon of the University of Minnesota, some Americans might find it "alienating" to have a President who speaks English as if it were his first language.
"Every time Obama opens his mouth, his subjects and verbs are in agreement," says Mr. Logsdon. "If he keeps it up, he is running the risk of sounding like an elitist."
The historian said that if Mr. Obama insists on using complete sentences in his speeches, the public may find itself saying, "Okay, subject, predicate, subject predicate - we get it, stop showing off."
The President-elect's stubborn insistence on using complete sentences has already attracted a rebuke from one of his harshest critics, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska.
"Talking with complete sentences there and also too talking in a way that ordinary Americans like Joe the Plumber and Tito the Builder can't really do there, I think needing to do that isn't tapping into what Americans are needing also," she said.
posted on November 18, 2008 12:11:27 PM new
I loved the part about his car having rust holes in the floor and that you could see the road. Its about time we had someone as president that was in my first car.
posted on November 18, 2008 02:06:27 PM newThe President-elect's stubborn insistence on using complete sentences has already attracted a rebuke from one of his harshest critics, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska.
I guess Palin thinks it is better if Obama starts talking like one does when sending text messages.
This is American where English is one of the languages. It is good to finally have a president that has a firm grasp on the English language.
posted on November 19, 2008 04:44:58 AM new
I am so glad I am out of the country so I dont have to listen to him.
*
Economic Reform act of Chairman Obama of the socialist States of America :
10 ounces of meat per month,half a yard of cotton per year per adult.
Hellilujah!
posted on November 19, 2008 05:28:53 AM new
Sorry Hwa - we are hearing less from him now than any time in the past 9 months and probably for any time in the next four years - bad timing if that's why you traveled.
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posted on November 19, 2008 06:17:30 AM new
I'm so glad you're out of the country, too. If you truly believe that 10 oz of meat a month and a half yard of cotton is all you have to look forward to, why return? Please remember, though, that our current economic state is due to the mistakes Bush made and those who supported him, like YOU. Not Obama. Point the finger to yourself and stay away if you find the future so bleak,
posted on November 19, 2008 07:01:22 AM new
hwahwa,
We are all glad you are out of the country. You should stay there. You certainly do not appreciate the US and how we operate. Bye Bye, I hope that door doesn't swing both ways.
posted on November 19, 2008 07:37:17 AM new
In defense of hwahwa - she has a right to her opinion and a right to stay in the US even if her beliefs run against the incoming administration.
My husband is from Switzerland and hated Bush from the start and was vehemently against the war. His co-workers always told him to go back home if that's the way he felt. THis made him furious! Why should he have to go back home? His life is here! He has been paying taxes to Uncle Sam for 30 years.
The wonderful thing about this country is that you are supposed to be entitled to your opinion. Just because you don't like this administration or that administration doesn't mean you don't love this country.
Hwa can say she is happy not to have to listen to Obama. She can even call him fart face or barf bag. I wish she would make more sense sometimes, but that's her prerogative too.
Have a nice trip Hwa and a safe journey home.
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The world expects us to elect pompous yahoos, and instead we have us a 47-year-old prince from the prairie who cheerfully ran the race, and when his opponents threw sand at him, he just smiled back. He'll be the first president in history to look really good making a jump shot. He loves his classy wife and his sweet little daughters. At the same time, he knows pop music, American lit and constitutional law. I just can't imagine anybody cooler.
It feels good to be cool, and all of us can share in that, even sour old right-wingers and embittered blottoheads. Next time you fly to Heathrow and hand your passport to the man with the badge, he's going to see "United States of America" and look up and grin. Even if you worship in the church of Fox, everyone you meet overseas is going to ask you about Obama, and you may as well say you voted for him because, my friends, he is your line of credit over there. No need anymore to try to look Canadian.
posted on November 19, 2008 11:35:54 AM new
Helen,
You're so absolutely right. I don't travel quite as much as before, but I have been overseas a lot during the past 8 years. My friends knew that I hadn't voted for Bush, but even among them there was a certain amount of disapproval. People who didn't know me assumed the worst. This became especially difficult 4 years ago, when most people were incredulous that we would have elected Bush a second time ("fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, well, can't get fooled again" or whatever that monkey mangled out of his mouth).
It will be a lot easier going overseas in the future.
