Obama News Conference

[Olo401]

He stumbles over his words quite a bit.. but the obvious explanation for that is mild stagefright (I know what I'm talkin' about here since I have the same problem only worse.. I bet he gets extra queasy before these sort of breifings).

Despite that, the nukes question and the crappy questions like the A-Rod one and the one by that idiot Major Garrett, I thought he did a good job. And after the last eight years, it was very refreshing to get more information out of our government in a single hour than that entire span.

[Rhinox]

The point is the ACT of asking the question is important as opposed to the profundity of the question itself.

Yes, I know this is how the world works and blah blah blah.

The point is that the we have to keep asking those questions and keep trying to put politicians on the spot in spite of the frustrating reality.

So no, it's not retarded. Not asking important questions or just letting things slide because we 'feel' powerless is retarded.

(Of course Helen knew the answer to the question. Of course the whole fucking world knows the answer to the question. I don't know how you could assess the situation so superficially.)

EDIT:
Just re-read what you said. The comparison of US State laws to US laws regarding international relations is also superficial. The difference in scale alone should dissuade the comparison. Anyways, this is about tactics more so than dogma. Yes, I think it's wrong that we're so sanctimonious. (I wouldn't say hypocritical, because it's too generous in tone.)

But the point is that a journalist is not supposed to let anything slide no matter how trite (relative term in this context) it may seem.

Because its so cliche to want to make a statement through a question. Helen just wanted to seem relevant even though no one takes her serious anymore. It's a loaded question whichever way he decided to answer he was gonna get shit for it.

[pohibaba]

Because its so cliche to want to make a statement through a question. Helen just wanted to seem relevant even though no one takes her serious anymore. It's a loaded question whichever way he decided to answer he was gonna get shit for it.

That's the point: he should get shit for his answer. His, and every single President since the creation of Israel, has had a horrendous policy regarding Israel and they should all get shit for it.

[Rhinox]

That's the point: he should get shit for his answer. His, and every single President since the creation of Israel, has had a horrendous policy regarding Israel and they should all get shit for it.

Congratulations, he got shit for it. Too bad it changes absolutely nothing. yay for symbolism?

[Elvis]

What's the alternative then? We don't say anything?

I think we agree the answer is obvious. The question is symbolic and in and of itself a political tactic. That's all ok IMO. There are people working day and night to make sure everything is business as usual.

Why shouldn't the other side TRY to hold them accountable?

Rhinox: Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown.

[Rhinox]

What's the alternative then? We don't say anything?

I think we agree the answer is obvious. The question is symbolic and in and of itself a political tactic. That's all ok IMO. There are people working day and night to make sure everything is business as usual.

Why shouldn't the other side TRY to hold them accountable?

Rhinox: Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown.

I never said do nothing about it but the question itself is self-serving. Helen has been desperately trying to stay relevant with the times for the last 20 years. She has got her 15 mins of fame on a MMORPG General discussion board. Now what? You think she's gonna follow up and keep pressing the president on it? No. She saw an opportunity to be controversial on national television with millions of people watching. Now you may come back and argue that's the point but she isn't a champion for the cause. It may not bother you that she is doing this for her self interest but it does me.

Also why not flat out ask "Is Israel a nuclear power". Whats with the cloak and dagger?

[Elvis]

I never said do nothing about it but the question itself is self-serving. Helen has been desperately trying to stay relevant with the times for the last 20 years. She has got her 15 mins of fame on a MMORPG General discussion board. Now what? You think she's gonna follow up and keep pressing the president on it? No. She saw an opportunity to be controversial on national television with millions of people watching. Now you may come back and argue that's the point but she isn't a champion for the cause. It may not bother you that she is doing this for her self interest but it does me.

Also why not flat out ask "Is Israel a nuclear power". Whats with the cloak and dagger?

Fair enough. If you think she was being disingenuous then we can't go any further.

I don't know much about the past 20 years of history pertinent to understanding Helen's motives here.

I would have wanted her to be straight to the point as well. Although, I think that proves that she was being sincere because she's clearly still stepping on eggshells.

If she deviates too much then she may not be invited back! Kind of like this chick:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm7MENnkV5A

@Bold

I wrote a bunch of stuff but forget it. Let's have some pie instead.

http://www.bigboy.com/RestaurantImages/Pie-Straw.jpg

[Lordender]

what a waste of a time slot, the economy is shit, tell me something i didn't already know.

Would have rather watched house than to be told something i already have known for months when every week a new small town is on CBS nightly news where everyone has lost their jobs.

[Kuya]

I never said do nothing about it but the question itself is self-serving. Helen has been desperately trying to stay relevant with the times for the last 20 years. She has got her 15 mins of fame on a MMORPG General discussion board. Now what? You think she's gonna follow up and keep pressing the president on it? No. She saw an opportunity to be controversial on national television with millions of people watching. Now you may come back and argue that's the point but she isn't a champion for the cause. It may not bother you that she is doing this for her self interest but it does me.

Also why not flat out ask "Is Israel a nuclear power". Whats with the cloak and dagger?

Oh oh. Someone is criticizing Obama. Quick! Deflect, deflect!

[Olo401]

.... Let's have some pie instead.

http://www.bigboy.com/RestaurantImages/Pie-Straw.jpg

That's a tart damnit.

[Rhinox]

Uh oh. I didn't read this thread. Quick! Post, Post!

Didn't defend him once. Just said it was a stupid self-serving question.

[Kuya]

Reporter asking Obama a question to demonstrate how similar his stance will be to other presidents, and a poster on a forum with a history of supporting Democrats who also possess a poor understanding of politics is attacking the reporter personally for reasons he can only infer.

Case closed.

[Kael]

The Conference was not nearly as entertaining as these new items straight from Japan!:

[Elvis]

Let's all set aside our differences and collectively hate Fox News.

Australian Wildfires Could Fuel 'Forest Jihad' Terrorists, Experts Say

EXPERTS SAY!

[Kuya]

TERRORISTS! 9/11 END OF THE WORLD FIRE FIRE DESTRUCTION

[Dimmauk]

Let's all set aside our differences and collectively hate Fox News.

Australian Wildfires Could Fuel 'Forest Jihad' Terrorists, Experts Say

EXPERTS SAY!

Next the Terrorists will use a Solar Jihad on the US.

FOXNews.com - Powerful Solar Storm Could Shut Down U.S. for Months - Science News | Science & Technology | Technology News

[Rhinox]

Reporter asking Obama a question to demonstrate how similar his stance will be to other presidents, and a poster on a forum with a history of supporting Democrats who also possess a poor understanding of politics is attacking the reporter personally for reasons he can only infer.

Case closed.

It's obvious you have no Idea who Helen Thomas is. She is often the brunt of many Jokes because she lives in the past. She constantly references JFK when comparing presidents this was even annoying when Bush was president.

You on the other hand are so fucking pretentious it's annoying. You often play Devil's advocate with you're limited understanding on the subject just to troll.

[SwampdonkeyPLD]

That's the point: he should get shit for his answer. His, and every single President since the creation of Israel, has had a horrendous policy regarding Israel and they should all get shit for it.

He should also be given shit for answer where he cited Japan as an example of a government doing nothing and what happens. The government spent over 6 trillion dollars during that decade and nothing changed.

[Kuya]

It's obvious you have no Idea who Helen Thomas is. She is often the brunt of many Jokes because she lives in the past. She constantly references JFK when comparing presidents this was even annoying when Bush was president.

You on the other hand are so fucking pretentious it's annoying. You often play Devil's advocate with you're limited understanding on the subject just to troll.

It's natural to be pretentious when one compares themselves to someone as pitiable as you. I don't play Devil's advocate, it's just hard for someone as low as you to be able to understand something beyond what a common democrat understands. You're essentially the democrat version of Egon.

As for Helen Thomas, well, she clearly has a stronger hold on what goes on in US foreign policy than you ever will.

edit: HALP THEY'RE ATTACKING OBAMA

[Suburbanelite]

What was Obama's answer to the question/assessment? Or did he really speak with brackets?