RIP , photojournalist James Foley

[Lemon Drop]

“Obama golfs while the world burns” (or “bodies fall from the sky“) is the new talking point on the right, with variations for President Barack Obama’s vacation to Martha’s Vineyard this weekend. But how much is Obama actually off the clock?

This calls for some data journalism. Yahoo News’ Olivier Knox obtained the hard data from CBS News’ Mark Knoller, who has made a project of tracking executive days off since 1996. Knoller compared Obama to predecessor George W Bush‘s vacations. Here it is in graphic form:


Obama’s vacation days clock in at just over one-third of Bush’s, as do the total number of trips. Knoller didn’t count trips to Camp David as vacations, but Bush led those 3:1 as well.

The golf numbers are flipped, with Obama having played 186 games of golf to Bush’s 24, though Bush explicitly stopped playing golf early in his term.

Bush isn’t the only Obama vacation foil that has fallen apart. A few weeks ago conservatives criticized Obama for not canceling his travel plans following the downing of flight MH17, arguing that Reagan had immediately decamped from his California ranch to address to the 1983 attack on Korean Air Flight 007 — a claim that turned out to be wildly untrue.

http://www.mediaite.com/online/obama-has...ge-w-bush/

[$tevie]

It doesn't matter to these bigots. They consider him a lazy black man but they don't have the guts to admit it.

[Black]

Lemon Drop wrote:
“Obama golfs while the world burns” (or “bodies fall from the sky“) is the new talking point on the right, with variations for President Barack Obama’s vacation to Martha’s Vineyard this weekend. But how much is Obama actually off the clock?

This calls for some data journalism. Yahoo News’ Olivier Knox obtained the hard data from CBS News’ Mark Knoller, who has made a project of tracking executive days off since 1996. Knoller compared Obama to predecessor George W Bush‘s vacations. Here it is in graphic form:


Obama’s vacation days clock in at just over one-third of Bush’s, as do the total number of trips. Knoller didn’t count trips to Camp David as vacations, but Bush led those 3:1 as well.

The golf numbers are flipped, with Obama having played 186 games of golf to Bush’s 24, though Bush explicitly stopped playing golf early in his term.

Bush isn’t the only Obama vacation foil that has fallen apart. A few weeks ago conservatives criticized Obama for not canceling his travel plans following the downing of flight MH17, arguing that Reagan had immediately decamped from his California ranch to address to the 1983 attack on Korean Air Flight 007 — a claim that turned out to be wildly untrue.

http://www.mediaite.com/online/obama-has...ge-w-bush/

Big simple images are a step in the right direction, but perhaps an animated short would help get this information across.

[Wild eep]

swampy wrote:
I didn't address your Reagan item because he didn't have the same arrogant attitude the Obama's do. Neither did Bush. Stuff happens. Both Bush and Reagan addressed the people on their issues, but didn't then run off to fundraise or golf, or rub elbows with the elite in Martha's Vineyard. He's your man. Deal with it.

Racist Swampy strikes again!!

[swampy]

What about the optics don't you guys get?

He gives a "heartfelt" speech about Foley then EIGHT MINUTES LATER HE'S ON THE FIRST TEE!!!!

Even Maureen Dowd complained. I guess she's racist too?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3196363/posts

[$tevie]

She may very well be. She's been on Obama's case for quite a while now and usually those columns are strident and poorly executed. I have no idea why the right hasn't noticed her before today.

[OWC Jamie]

swampy wrote:
What about the optics don't you guys get?

He gives a "heartfelt" speech about Foley then EIGHT MINUTES LATER HE'S ON THE FIRST TEE!!!!

Even Maureen Dowd complained. I guess she's racist too?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3196363/posts

He gave the white journalist his two minutes.
What more do you expect.


Worst President since WWII.


The whole country is disgusted.
And not because of some fictional talking points.

[Lemon Drop]

What about the optics don't you guys get?

"Optics" are for shallow people.

it's policy that matters.

So what do you think is the correct policy response to the murder of Foley? I'm for arresting the people who did it and anyone who assisted them. I expect that very soon, it's being worked on diligently by the US and the UK and others. The President's job is to make sure that happens.

Do you actually think that Mitt Romney would have foregone vacation time with his 370 grandchildren every time something important was happening? (which is 24/7 when you're POTUS.) Yeah, you know the answer.

[eustacetilley]

Stop this.
Stop this RIGHT NOW!

1) "Optics" refers to the study and use of the refraction, reflection, and redirection of photons, and to a lesser degree, heavier and usually charged particles.
2) "Optics" also refers to the physical elements involved- lenses, mirrors, inflectors, deflectors, splitters, imagers and such.

I find that one of my favorite terms has been very recently politicized, most revolting. I'm hardly a Language Prescriptivist- I play with and contort the English Language every day. It's fun.
But there are limits.

If you lot want a word to refer to what seems to be photo-ops, or any image to be arbitrarily taken in a political context, or indeed any disparaging word that involves political perception, please use another word. How about Furbish? It's presently little used, and is ambiguous enough to cover a large territory of political Language abuse. Just leave my Optics alone.

"What about the furbishing don't you guys get?" In a demented way, this almost actually makes some kind of sense.

And while you all are at it, get off of my lawn.

Eustace

[swampy]

"Optics" are for shallow people.

Okay, let's start with Obama's Greek columns.