Obama Writes Note Excusing Girl From Missing School
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A blatant misuse of presidential power. HOW DARE HE!
34 Responses to “Obama Writes Note Excusing Girl From Missing School”
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© 2000-2011 Oliver Willis
“this proves he’s a Muslim”-Pam Geller
She’s called Kennedy so it must be a conspiracy (gibber gibber).
It’s these little touches, these moments of humanity, that make our presidents likable and revealing of character. That was very cool of Obama to give that girl a lifetime souvenir like that. It kind of reminded me of this story…
http://web.archive.org/web/20040611123319/http://www.washingtondispatch.com/opinion/article_9003.shtml
…and did anyone else notice this story was aired on a Fox station?
J.
On the other hand, Oliver has a point. Obama’s writing the excuse note is a clear violation of the 10th Amendment, as the president has NO Constitutional authority to interfere with the governance of a local school district, and it is entirely symbolic of his “nanny state” mentality for him to act in loco parentis when her father was right there. The Chief Executive has NO RIGHT to subsume his rights as her father and force the school to accept his note as a valid excuse for her absence! BEGIN IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS IMMEDIATELY!
(“President Biden”)
Never mind…
J.
As a teacher, I am totally accepting this excuse note. Any president writes a note and I will ok the absence. The front office, well…thats a different story:)
Of course, the whole Ashley’s story thing was later whored out into an ad for Bush’s re-election.
did anyone else notice this story was aired on a Fox station?
It really chaps my ass when anyone, regardless of political background, conflates the Fox News Cable channel with the news programs of local Fox affiliates.
Jay Tea: Obama’s writing the excuse note is a clear violation of the 10th Amendment, as the president has NO Constitutional authority to interfere with the governance of a local school district, and it is entirely symbolic of his “nanny state” mentality for him to act in loco parentis when her father was right there. The Chief Executive has NO RIGHT to subsume his rights as her father and force the school to accept his note as a valid excuse for her absence! BEGIN IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS IMMEDIATELY!
I get your jesting, of course. But there are those who would be completely serious when saying exactly this same thing. That Obama didn’t attempt to interfere with the governance of the school district or “force” the school to accept his note (his note was a request, not a command) or subsume her father’s rights (When Obama offers to write the note Dad replies “I’ll take you up on that.”) would be utterly irrelevant.
Tyro: “local Fox affiliates”
My local Murdoch FOX broadcast “news” channel has alternately:
=> Sold itself using fear (always highlighting violence without ever giving it context, making a special point of focusing on brown criminals even while statistically there are more white criminals in my community, and even used the creepy dark alley-shot with smoke swirling to showcase the FOX hosts as some kind of vigilante heroes),
=> Generally focus on national and international stories that were clearly created by the national FOX corporation and don’t have anything to do with my local community despite presumably being a “local” station,
=> Has tried to sell me on creepy surveillance (FOX: cameras surveilling you in public is good!),
=> Has told me that I should expect more Police Officers dressed up in military SWAT gear and that’s a good thing, well, just because,
=> Has stalked private citizens both in public and at their homes for trivial reasons,
=> It even has a police logo that tries to create the illusion that the FOX channel is affiliated with law enforcement,
=> Inevitably pushes right wing memes and right wing political personalities and politicians,
=> And in nearly every 22 minute piece, usually tries to sell me a product or service.
I’ve watched nearly identical “local” FOX broadcasts in at least seven different states.
So to recap, the local FOX affiliates sell: Fear, Creepy Surveillance, Police Militarization, Stalking, Right Wing Bias, and a Proto-Corporatism that makes them the vigilante eyes and even judges of my community.
And that’s different from Murdoch’s FOX cable media thugs how?
But there are those who would be completely serious when saying exactly this same thing.
“There are those”
Please, please, I beg of you! Find me one … Just one …
News, do you know if your local Fox affiliate is owned by Sinclair Broadcasting? Sinclair’s ownership is just about as loony-right as Fox itself…
To be fair, aside from the using national FOX stories thing, News Reference’s story about his local news stations sound like…every news station.
Of course, the whole Ashley’s story thing was later whored out into an ad for Bush’s re-election.
Oliver, that was an ugly enough statement that I’d expect it from Strowbridge or “Newsie.”
1) Ashley herself appeared in the ad where her story was “whored.” (Great shades of Letterman!)
B) The ad was NOT put out by the Bush campaign, but by an independent organization that — by law — Bush could not exert any influence over.
But screw that. The point I was raising that — in both cases — the president, in an unplanned, unscripted, un-Telepromptered moment, showed a bit of humanity and compassion towards a young girl in a way that warms the hearts of Americans — regardless of their political affiliation. Bush’s was more poignant, Obama’s more humorous, but similar enough to draw a parallel.
It speaks highly of both men, and it speaks highly of all of us that we chose such men as our presidents.
Personally, I’d probably put that note up on EBay, but that’s just me…
J.
None of the other local news affiliates, ABC, CBS, or NBC, in the communities I’ve lived in have used the same type or degree of grotesque, sensationalist tactics as the ‘local’ FOX ‘news’ broadcasting affiliate.
I’m not saying any of the other channels are above those tactics, I’m just saying that all of the local FOX affiliates I’ve watched were more outlandish in pushing those boundaries of taste.
I’ve always been able to peg a ‘local’ FOX ‘news’ broadcast when I’m out of town by the styles listed above.
I’d be delighted if FOX affiliates elsewhere exercised more independence (both editorially and journalistically) than what I’ve observed but all of the ‘local’ FOX ‘news’ stations I’ve watched all have the same cookie cutter outlines.
And I’m pretty sure Sinclair doesn’t own all FOX affiliates across the country, though maybe they went on a buying binge I’m not aware of. From my understanding Sinclair owns a mixed bag of affiliates from all of the major networks.
Which might also be part of the reason it seems like “every news station” has the same format: There’s a surprisingly small number of corporations that own the majority of TV/Radio/Broadcasting stations across the country.
I’m a huge supporter of media diversity. When one out of state (or out of country) corporation runs most of the TV stations (and radio stations and newspapers) in your state, it ultimately represents the out of state owners interests and not your local community.
At least with local owners there would be local competition for providing the best local news services, and not just push re-aired entertainment-’news’ broadcasts from across the country that has nothing to do with your local community.
I know corporatists generally think differently, but corporatists would sell all the media in America to China if the money was good enough (see: Murdoch, China).
The algorithm is pretty consistent:
If:
Oliver writes, “I can’t believe the Republicans did this idiotic thing,”
Then:
Jay writes, “But look at what the Democrats did X years ago that’s not related at all!”
Else If:
Oliver writes, “Hey, look at this cool thing Obama did,”
Then:
Jay writes, “Look at how awesome Bush was X years ago that’s not related at all!”
NewsReference will always write a self righteous manifesto because he enjoys seeing his own words on the screen.
I was just saying yesterday that Pres Obama seems to be “always ‘on’” , even more so than Clinton, but he finally broke down and acted like a President, instead of a person acting like a President.
What’s not to like ?
the president, in an unplanned, unscripted, un-Telepromptered moment
Before Republicans developed their recent Teleprompter fixation (seriously, dude, the technology’s 30 years old), the term for this was simply “unscripted.” I swear, dealing with Republicans is like having a teenager who comes home dropping some new slang he’s picked up at school. Now, parents, trying to feel more involved in their child’s life, will make an effort to understand where he’s coming from. I, however, don’t have children, and even if I did, you aren’t one of them, Jay, not to mention you’re a grown adult. Learn to act like an adult rather than mindlessly parroting the slang and affectations of your right wing friends. It might score you points with that crowd, but here it makes you seem like a predictable toady.
What the hell is wrong with you, Jay? You let Republicans tell you what to think, what to say, and what buzzwords to use, and then you come here to “show off” that you can use the talking points of the day. It’s juvenile and pathetic. But then, movement conservatism is all about turning middle aged men into whiney juveniles.
I must admit, I thought that was pretty damn cool.
But when the Obama campaign rolls this moment out in an ad, Oliver is going to look like a goddam idiot.
Oh… too late.
Tyro:
Lighten up, Francis.
It was one word. Obama and Biden have both made cracks about the TOTUS. And I buried it in a bunch of nice things about Obama.
Sheesh…
J.
That’s funny, it doesn’t look staged………………….
Jay, you really need to learn to stop using this forum as a playground to practice the right-wing tropes you picked up on the playground. Grow the hell up and save the talking points for your right-wing friends and the family who is socially obligated to put up with your juvenile crankiness.
Please, please, I beg of you! Find me one … Just one …
Darn, and Yo Mama said he’d never come back.
Bush’s was more poignant,
I’d give her a hug too, if something like that happened on my watch. Guilt is a powerful tool.
Hey, Tyro (and if there EVER was a more apt self-assigned moniker, I don’t wanna hear about it):
Obama did a nice, cool thing. I’m glad he did it.
It reminded me of another time when another president did a nice, cool thing. So I mentioned it.
I don’t recall Clinton, Bush 41, Reagan, or Carter doing such things, but I like to think they would do that, too, if presented with the circumstances.
At the same time, I took a very, very, VERY mild poke at Obama. If I didn’t, I’d be disappointing people. And how mild was it? Obama and Biden have both goofed on it.
And to boot, I tossed in a bit of satire about the stereotypical (well, stereotyped around here, mainly) “right-winger” reaction to Obama’s actions. I thought it was mildly amusing, especially set off with the Emily Litella-esque “President Biden” at the end. Sean got it, and didn’t find it heinous, and for him that’s high praise.
I thought it was a cute moment. I thought Obama handled it well. And I said so.
If that bothers you in some way, that’s your problem, newbie. Not mine.
J.
Frank DiSalle: Please, please, I beg of you! Find me one … Just one …
That have said exactly those words about this particular note-writing? OK, ya got me. I can’t find one. But, then, I wasn’t really saying anyone HAD said exactly this. My point, obviously, was there are those who are so opposed to Obama and anything he does that they will claim, in defiance of reality and reason, that he did something he didn’t actually do and that that something was illegal or at least shows what a terrible, immoral person he is.
And for examples of THAT one need look no further than all the reports regarding his connection to Ayers, his birth certificate or, more recently, his looking for a justice who has empathy, etc etc etc.
Jay Tea: It was one word. Obama and Biden have both made cracks about the TOTUS. And I buried it in a bunch of nice things about Obama.
Yes. But in amidst those bunch of nice things you had to include it. Your fixation is showing.
Sean got it, and didn’t find it heinous, and for him that’s high praise.
Oh, please. I’ve been far more likely to recognize when you make good points than most here. Don’t start trying to suggest that I typically find things you say are heinous.
Sorry, Sean, just trying to give you a little cover for not going all Strowbridge on me.
As for my use of that single word… I was just following the advice of The Bard: “To thine own self be true.” Or, if you prefer something more musical, “I gotta be me.”
The more N00B focuses on it, though, the more I realize that he’s making a frakking mountain out of a molehill. It’s like he’s gotta find something to get OUTRAGED!!!!! over in my remarks, and that’s his sole lifeline.
Someone better not tell PETA about this thread. He’s beating the shit out of a dead horse.
J.
“going all Strowbridge on me.”
LOL
Right winger “Jay Tea” is too stupid to know that “Tyro” is a real name and too mean to care.
And regarding the “Note”, it was a polite request that the girl be ‘excused’ from class. It was also a lifetime keepsake memento to anyone with a sentimental streak (those without sentiment would be selling it on ebay).
It’s not like it was one of Republican Bush’s unconstitutional signing statements.
And good lord, why would you annoy, “Sean D.”, “Jay Tea”? The guy has gone waaay out of his way to be both courteous to you and even defend you when he’s felt you’ve merited it.
Right winger “Jay Tea” is too stupid to know that “Tyro” is a real name and too mean to care.
Says the guy who puts quotes around all “names”…
And good lord, why would you annoy, “Sean D.”, “Jay Tea”? The guy has gone waaay out of his way to be both courteous to you and even defend you when he’s felt you’ve merited it.
Thanks, News!
I think I just found my own keepsake!
Tyro is not my real name, for the record.
Shut up, Tyro. “Newsie” has spoken, and that is that — “Tyro” is now your legal name, meaning that “Newsie” will give you the courtesy of not putting scare quotes around your name. If you don’t like it, tough — “Newsie” is the sole and final arbiter of which names get the scare quotes and which do not.
J.
Amazing. Just when you think that “Newsie” can’t be any more clue-impervious, he shows even more cluelessness.
“Newsie,” NO ONE is seriously criticizing the note. NO ONE is the least bit interested in your excruciatingly anal study of the implications and semantics of the wording chosen. And if I dare speak for more than myself, NO ONE is the least bit interested in your analysis of the note’s implications.
J.
OH PLEASE. I’ve been excused from class for a mere stomach ache. This is a pretty good excuse to miss one class. It’s more than you could ever learn in one day’s History lecture. Give it a break and argue over something important.