Saturday, August 18, 2012

Peter Schiff vs. Dick Morris

Should America survive the next four years--and I am not certain our country will remain intact--the dominant political discourse will be social conservatism vs. fiscal conservatism. Liberalism as it has traditionally been defined, is a vanished species. Ficsal vs. social.

This is a harbinger. A portent. Coming attractions. This ain't Foxnews and this ain't Sean Hannity giving his favored guests a Lewinski. Dick Morris gets asked a few tough questions and he turns tail and runs like a pansy.

A lot of us have played along with the Morrises because Obama, et al, have upped the stakes in destruction and ineptitude. The enemy of my enemy is...ugh! Dick Morris.

I'll try to be unifying until after the election.

TOUGH GUY DICK MORRIS RUNS LIKE A GIRL WHEN ASKED A FEW REAL QUESTIONS

The Great Divider

Repeat often: There has never been a more divisive political figure than Barack Hussein Obama. He has instructed his media puppies to constantly play the race card. If it's Cash for Clunkers, Fast and Furious, the size and scope of our nation's deficit or just about any other issue, opposition to the president's position is attacked as racism. And given the unique, cozy relationship Obama enjoys with the news media, he could have cut the slander and the vitriol at any time. But he has chosen not to. The overplay of the race card says more about Obama's character than all of his other personal and political actions combined.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Monday, August 13, 2012

Wayne Allyn Root's Prediction

In A Retro Mood: From Exactly Two Years Ago, Tim Robbins and Electric Illuminati

I want to be slightly less snide when discussing this video. I am always interested in expressions where the viewer is uncertain if the expressor is serious or satirical. Satire is harder than it looks and even when done perfectly it misses a lot of the audience. A large portion of the world simply has no sense of satire.

One of the worst failures of satire is the movie, "Bob Roberts." Tim Robbins creates a character who was a Tea Party type before there were Tea Party types. I went to the movies to see Robbins deliver his broadside against the newest brand of conservatives. (This would have been in the early 90's but I am too lazy to look up the year.) I would be disappointed.

Bob Roberts, the object of fear and ridicule, was more appealing than his onscreen nemesis or real life politicians of the day. The nemesis was played by Gore Vidal and he scared me. Don't give me vampires or chainsaws to put the thump in my chest and the moist in my palms. Show me Gore Vidal's magnanimous performance in "Bob Roberts" and you might hear me scream.

Gore Vidal played a fossilized senator who was in Washington for 36 years (if I recall correctly.). Bob Roberts came to knock the dinosaur off his pedestal. Who you rooting for? In Tim Robbins world, the 6-term senator was the innocent, helpless to the savvy, snappy Bob Roberts.

How many people--even people who might be sympathetic to Robbin's political views--walked away believing the bad guy was the good guy and vice versa? Robbins designated Bob Roberts the villain but I left the theater feeling that the lesser of two evils had won.

There are other problems with "Bob Roberts." Bob Roberts is a folk singer and he sings songs that could comfortably be sung at a tea party. Whereas we know that Robbins is making fun of Roberts, the irony just does not ironize. It's a curve ball that does not curve. We still call it a curve ball even though it's just a slow, straight pitch. We reference the pitcher's intent rather than his performance.

Watch the song "Complain." If you did not know better would you know there was ironic intent? I wonder how many people would.

Here's a quick look at "Complain" from "Bob Roberts."

IRONIC OR SERIOUS?


"Bob Roberts" will always be remembered as failed satire, failed irony and possibly unintended sympathies for one's enemies. The commentary on YouTube and elsewhere often states something like "conservatives are too stupid to get the joke." That is Robbins fault, not the audience's fault. Contrast this movie with "Team America: World Police" for an example of unambiguous satire.

Which brings us to the Electric Illuminati. One thing that jumps off the page is the "Subterranean Homesick Blues" reference that "Bob Roberts" also references. Note: As this is posted, I cannot find the original Bob Dylan "rock video before there were rock videos." Dylan's copyright guardians are known for their vigilance and Dylan vids are frequently pulled from the shelves en masse. There are other vids by Weird Al and others that mimic the classic, should one want further elucidation but I will not be posting them at this time.

SIGNS, SIGNS, EVERYWHERE A SIGN


Electric Illuminati strings together words in an almost random fashion. So long as they rhyme, who cares? An anthropologist from Mars would be challenged to put this in the category of cheesy Obama propaganda or satire reflecting the utter silliness of Obama's cultish believers. I am sorry to say that this would fit into the former category.

Whereas Tim Robbins delivers a curve that does not curve, Electric Illuminati hurls a wild pitch that bounces into the catcher's groin. With teammates like these, who needs opponents?

PROPAGANDA OR PARODY? YOU DECIDE


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More "Hope"

We covered "Hope" the musical about you know who before. Here is another sampling of this masterpiece. WHO SAYS THEATER IS DEAD?

Sunday, August 12, 2012

One sign of Ryan’s impact on Romney campaign: Big crowds

Yahoo is reporting overflow crowds at R&R events. This is Yahoo, whose CEO bundles for Obama and usually spins things his way.

  Several thousand people turned out to see the new GOP ticket at a NASCAR mechanics training facility here—including at least 3,000 people who crammed into an overflow outside the event. It was the second day in a row of record-breaking crowds for the Romney campaign, including more than 8,000 who attended a rally in Manassas, Va., on Saturday. http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/one-sign-ryan-impact-romney-campaign-big-crowds-154925553.html

In a Retro Mood: The Obama Halo. Originally Posted 12/18/2011

I am still amazed that a prissy ass community organizer with no resume (not a thin resume, a resume so lacking in essential elements, like transcripts for instance, to disqualify the use of the noun as it is normally employed) won the 2008 presidential election. There were a lot of reasons to expect an Obama backlash before election day but one Obama facet lead the pack: THE CHEESE FACTOR!

Yes, THE CHEESE FACTOR! At some point I expected a hyperstylish America to reject Obama for the campaign's unbridled pandering. Yes, I expected a backlash of substance, such as it is, but I also expected a backlash of style. The first "American Idol" candidate would be rejected by the people who would never admit to watching such a cheesy show. The cooler than thou folks would distance themselves from The Cheese Makers. HA!

A quick disclaimer. These images are copyrighted but this is an example of a fair use exclusion.

THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG:





DAVID AXELROD MIGHT BE MORE EVIL THAN SATAN, BUT HIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST MINDS OF OF OUR ERA





ADVERTISING DOESN'T INFLUENCE ME. I DRINK BUD LIGHT BECAUSE I PREFER A WATER-DOWNED, FLAVORLESS LAGER THAT SAVES THE BREWER 30% IN PRODUCTION COSTS.







I NEVER BOUGHT INTO THAT COWBOY MALARKY. I SMOKED MARLBOROS BECAUSE OF THE FULL FLAVOR EXPERIENCE





INTERLUDE: TOP 100 ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS (adage.com)

1. Volkswagen, "Think Small", Doyle Dane Bernbach, 1959
2. Coca-Cola, "The pause that refreshes", D'Arcy Co., 1929
3. Marlboro, The Marlboro Man, Leo Burnett Co., 1955
4. Nike, "Just do it", Wieden & Kennedy, 1988
5. McDonald's, "You deserve a break today", Needham, Harper & Steers, 1971
6. DeBeers, "A diamond is forever", N.W. Ayer & Son, 1948
7. Absolut Vodka, The Absolut Bottle, TBWA, 1981
8. Miller Lite beer, "Tastes great, less filling", McCann-Erickson Worldwide, 1974
9. Clairol, Does she...or doesn't she?", Foote, Cone & Belding, 1957
10. Avis, "We try harder", Doyle Dane Bernbach, 1963
11. Federal Express, "Fast talker", Ally & Gargano, 1982
12. Apple Computer, "1984", Chiat/Day, 1984
13. Alka-Seltzer, Various ads, Jack Tinker & Partners; Doyle Dane Bernbach; Wells Rich, Greene, 1960s, 1970s
14. Pepsi-Cola, "Pepsi-Cola hits the spot", Newell-Emmett Co., 1940s
15. Maxwell House, "Good to the last drop", Ogilvy, Benson & Mather, 1959
16. Ivory Soap, "99 and 44/100% Pure", Proctor & Gamble Co., 1882
17. American Express, "Do you know me?", Ogilvy & Mather, 1975
18. U.S. Army, "Be all that you can be", N.W. Ayer & Son, 1981
19. Anacin, "Fast, fast, fast relief", Ted Bates & Co., 1952
20. Rolling Stone, "Perception. Reality.", Fallon McElligott Rice, 1985
21. Pepsi-Cola, "The Pepsi generation", Batton, Barton, Durstine & Osborn, 1964
22. Hathaway Shirts, "The man in the Hathaway shirt", Hewitt, Ogilvy, Benson & Mather, 1951
23. Burma-Shave, Roadside signs in verse, Allen Odell, 1925
24. Burger King, "Have it your way", BBDO, 1973
25. Campbell Soup, "Mmm mm good", BBDO, 1930s
26. U.S. Forest Service, Smokey the Bear/"Only you can prevent forest fires", Advertising Council/Foote, Cone & Belding
27. Budweiser, "This Bud's for you", D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles, 1970s
28. Maidenform, "I dreamed I went shopping in my Maidenform bra", Norman, Craig & Kunnel, 1949
29. Victor Talking Machine Co., "His master's voice", Francis Barraud, 1901
30. Jordan Motor Car Co., "Somewhere west of Laramie", Edward S. (Ned) Jordan, 1923
31. Woodbury Soap, "The skin you love to touch", J. Walter Thompson Co., 1911
32. Benson & Hedges 100s, "The disadvantages", Wells, Rich, Greene, 1960s
33. National Biscuit Co., Uneeda Biscuits' Boy in Boots, N.W. Ayer & Son, 1899
34. Energizer, The Energizer Bunny, Chiat/Day, 1989
35. Morton Salt, "When it rains it pours", N.W. Ayer & Son, 1912
36. Chanel, "Share the fantasy", Doyle Dane Bernbach, 1979
37. Saturn, "A different kind of company, A different kind of car.", Hal Riney & Partners, 1989
38. Crest toothpaste, "Look, Ma! No cavities!", Benton & Bowles, 1958
39. M&Ms, "Melts in your mouth, not in your hands", Ted Bates & Co., 1954
40. Timex, "Takes a licking and keeps on ticking", W.B. Doner & Co & predecessor agencies, 1950s
41. Chevrolet, "See the USA in your Chevrolet", Campbell-Ewald, 1950s
42. Calvin Klein, "Know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing!
43. Reagan for President, "It's morning again in America" Tuesday Team, 1984
44. Winston cigarettes, "Winston tastes good--like a cigarette should" 1954
45. U.S. School of Music, "They laughed when I sat down at the piano, but when I started to play!" Ruthrauff & Ryan, 1925
46. Camel cigarettes, "I'd walk a mile for a Camel", N. W. Ayer & Son, 1921
47. Wendy's, "Where's the beef?", Dancer-Fitzgerald-Sample, 1984
48. Listerine, "Always a bridesmaid, but never a bride", Lambert & Feasley, 1923
49. Cadillac, "The penalty of leadership", MacManus, John & Adams, 1915
50. Keep America Beautiful, "Crying Indian", Advertising Council/Marstellar Inc., 1971
51. Charmin, "Please don't squeeze the Charmin", Benton & Bowles, 1964
52. Wheaties, "Breakfast of champions", Blackett-Sample-Hummert, 1930s
53. Coca-Cola, "It's the real thing", McCann-Erickson, 1970
54. Greyhound, "It's such a comfort to take the bus and leave the driving to us", Grey Advertising, 1957
55. Kellogg's Rice Krispies, "Snap! Crackle! and Pop!", Leo Burnett Co., 1940s
56. Polaroid, "It's so simple", Doyle Dane Bernbach, 1977
57. Gillette, "Look sharp, feel sharp", BBDO, 1940s
58. Levy's Rye Bread, "You don't have to be Jewish to love Levy's Rye Bread", Doyle Dane Bernbach, 1949
59. Pepsodent, "You'll wonder where the yellow went", Foote, Cone & Belding, 1956
60. Lucky Strike cigarettes, "Reach for a Lucky instead of a sweet", Lord & Thomas, 1920s
61. 7 UP, "The Uncola", J. Walter Thompson, 1970s
62. Wisk detergent, "Ring around the collar", BBDO, 1968
63. Sunsweet Prunes, "Today the pits, tomorrow the wrinkles", Freberg Ltd., 1970s
64. Life cereal, "Hey, Mikey", Doyle Dane Bernbach, 1972
65. Hertz, "Let Hertz put you in the driver's seat", Norman, Craig & Kummel, 1961
66. Foster Grant, "Who's that behind those Foster Grants?", Geer, Dubois, 1965
67. Perdue chicken, "It takes a tough man to make tender chicken" Scali, McCabe, Sloves, 1971
68. Hallmark, "When you care enough to send the very best", Foote, Cone & Belding, 1930s
69. Springmaid sheets, "A buck well spent", In-house, 1948
70. Queensboro Corp., Jackson Heights Apartment Homes, WEAF, NYC, 1920s
71. Steinway & Sons, "The instrument of the immortals", N.W. Ayer & Sons, 1919
72. Levi's jeans, "501 Blues", Foote, Cone & Belding, 1984
73. Blackglama-Great Lakes Mink, "What becomes a legend most?", Jane Trahey Associates, 1960s
74. Blue Nun wine, Stiller & Meara campaign, Della Famina, Travisano & Partners, 1970s
75. Hamm's beer, "From the Land of Sky Blue Waters", Campbell-Mithun, 1950s
76. Quaker Puffed Wheat, "Shot from guns", Lord & Thomas, 1920s
77. ESPN Sports, "This is SportsCenter", Wieden & Kennedy, 1995
78. Molson Beer, Laughing Couple, Moving & Talking Picture Co., 1980s
79. California Milk Processor Board, "Got Milk?", 1993
80. AT&T, "Reach out and touch someone", N.W. Ayer, 1979
81. Brylcreem, "A little dab'll do ya", Kenyon & Eckhardt, 1950s
82. Carling Black Label beer, "Hey Mabel, Black Label!", Lang, Fisher & Stashower, 1940s
83. Isuzu, "Lying Joe Isuzu", Della Famina, Travisano & Partners, 1980s
84. BMW, "The ultimate driving machine", Ammirati & Puris, 1975
85. Texaco, "You can trust your car to the men who wear the star", Benton & Bowles, 1940s
86. Coca-Cola, "Always", Creative Artists Agency, 1993
87. Xerox, "It's a miracle", Needham, Harper & Steers, 1975
88. Bartles & Jaymes, "Frank and Ed", Hal Riney & Partners, 1985
89. Dannon Yogurt, Old People in Russia, Marstellar Inc., 1970s
90. Volvo, Average life of a car in Sweden, Scali, McCabe, Sloves, 1960s
91. Motel 6, "We'll leave a light on for you", Richards Group, 1988
92. Jell-O, Bill Cosby with kids, Young & Rubicam, 1975
93. IBM, Chaplin's Little Tramp character, Lord, Geller, Federico, Einstein, 1982
94. American Tourister, The Gorilla, Doyle, Dane Bernbach, late 1960s
95. Right Guard, "Medicine Cabinet", BBDO, 1960s
96. Maypo, "I want my Maypo", Fletcher, Calkins & Holden, 1960s
97. Bufferin, Pounding heartbeat, Young & Rubicam, 1960
98. Arrow Shirts, "My friend, Joe Holmes, is now a horse", Young & Rubicam, 1938
99. Young & Rubicam, "Impact", Young & Rubicam, 1930
100. Lyndon Johnson for President, "Daisy", Doyle Dane Bernbach, 1964

Read complete article below:

http://adage.com/century/campaigns.html


DAVID OGILVY SOLD A LOT OF HATHAWAY SHIRTS BUT DAVID AXELROD SOLD A STUFFED SHIRT TO 63 MILLION AMERICANS




THE HITS KEEP RIGHT ON COMING






And on and on and on. I tried to weed out the parodies but in the case of Barack Hussein Obama, the bullshit is so blatant that the original material could pass as spoofery. As far as I know these are all productions of either the Obama Campaign or the mainstream media (yes, that probably is a redundancy.)

I was by no means the first person to notice the halo. There are some other historians who explored the assorted hagiographies in more detail. We might return to them when we revisit this subject in the future. For now, this post serves as a worthy introduction to the sleaziest and cheesiest (but oh so effective) undeclared advertising campaigns in the history of Planet Earth.

Hope and Change.

The Local Media Spin The Occupants' Attack On Obama Headquarters

It's a pretty simple story. Barbarians on the loose and they don't care who or what they destroy. "..just a few people... " Yeah. Right.

The Case Against Deprogramming

Subtract Obama from "Obama Idiots" and you still have Idiots. 

An Angle I Had Not Considered

I am channeling Scott Rasmussen here, a brilliant, brilliant man. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/political_commentary/commentary_by_scott_rasmussen/the_introduction_is_key_to_a_successful_romney_veep_pick

I am summarizing a couple of his articles, one of which was written prior to Ryan's selection as VP candidate. In essence, one of the most important qualities in selecting a running mate is their rame or if you prefer, recognizability. The problem with selecting a Portman is that 90% of the public does not know him. That means that CBS, NBC, ABC, AP, NPR would define (read smear) Portman for all but 10% of the public.

This is what happened to an unknown known as Sarah Palin. She is arguably the most successful governor in US history and Alaska is possibly the best managed state (if finances mean anything it is far and away the most successful state in US history) of all time. But facts afforded Palin no protection from character assassination. She was a blank canvas and the media turned her into a caricature of herself.

According to Rasmussen 39% have a favorable opinion of Paul Ryan and 25% have an unfavorable opinion. That means that the media only get to shape the opinions of 36% of the population. Ryan, therefore, is a safer bet than Portman.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_presidential_election/august_2012/39_have_favorable_opinion_of_paul_ryan_25_unfavorable2

This was a smooth maneuver for Romney. Romney will be called a lot of names but "dumb ass" will not be one of them.