The Pic Of The Year 2013...

[workpublic]

excuses excuses excuses........

[Tennesseer]

Dec 13, 2013 11:54:14 GMT -5 workpublic said:

excuses excuses excuses........

Facts facts facts from the photographer.......

[Value Buy]

When was Tenn named White House spokesperson for the President?

[mmhmm]

Dec 13, 2013 11:07:18 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

Dec 12, 2013 16:15:16 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

I'd read somewhere there was a sort of cultural clash here.  There was a lot of loud celebrating going on, apparently.  That is the custom in parts of Africa when there is a death; particularly, the death of someone prominent and respected.  I have no idea if that had anything to do with Mrs. Obama's angry look, but I know it would really upset some people I know to have a loud celebration going on at the memorial for a dignitary.  I'm not going to make any assumptions.  I hate 'em.  I'm just offering another possibility/perspective.

I would assume the White House staff had already explained local customs and what to expect at the ceremony, so the President and wife did not commit a faux paux of their own. They had been to South Africa before, so they knew the social customs of the country.

I guess explaining about taking selfies was not on the agenda.

I imagine Mrs. Obama was not upset over the celebrity type atmosphere at the stadium of the citizens.

Paying attention to a blonde Danish Prime Minister rather than to her, might have been a mistake on the President's part.

I wonder how the President's demeanor would have been if the French Prime Minister was sitting with him, instead of her?

Of course I do not know anything about her. She simply might have been emotionally happy sitting next to President Obama, and was enjoying the moment.

Any of that is possible, just as is my suggestion of a possiblity.  I'm not going to sit here at my computer and decide what other people are thinking, VB.  I consider that a bit silly.

[kadee79]

Some pictures that most of us didn't see.....

www.policymic.com/articles/76375/8-photos-you-didn-t-see-from-obama-s-trip-to-south-Africa

And for those who don't know or have different customs, many MEMORIALS are a CELEBRATION of the person's life.  Much dancing, singing, joke telling, relating past memories...BUT all in celebration and it is NOT a solemn affair! 

[Sum Dum Gai]

The service was 4 hours in length. Any married couple that sat together for four hours being constantly photographed are going to have a few that look like something odd is going on.

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

Dec 11, 2013 15:06:32 GMT -5 greeniis10 said:

Of course, they changed seats.  I meant that I'm sure there are pictures of Michelle chatting and smiling with the blond gal, too.  I realize this was meant to be funny, but I just felt badly for Michelle because it made her appear jealous, but I doubt she is. 

I don't think she's jealous at all.  I've been married for going on 21 years- I think she's embarassed.  I know that look- it's the "think about where we are, think about the solemness of the occasion, wipe that stupid smile off your face, and sit there and look like you're at a funeral, you idiot".

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

Dec 12, 2013 14:45:37 GMT -5 swamp said:

Dec 12, 2013 14:37:22 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

It was a memorial service and someone should have told the 70 to 80,000 South Africans in the stadium with the world leaders to stop dancing and singing during the service.

The funeral ìs Saturday.

I believe WCP already has a thread about this here on Current Events.

The Pic Of The Year 2013 ....

Memorial/Funeral Service, whatever.   If you are the head of state, you should probably conduct yourself with a little more respect.  I don't care if the natives were singing and dancing.   That's their culture. 

And THIS, not 'jealousy' is likely why Mrs. O appears annoyed.  I know the annoyed look well- I see it a LOT. 

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

SNL spoofs the selfie:

www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/12/15/saturday-night-live-skit-targets-obama-seflie-fake-mandela-interpreter/

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

And on a more serious note, The Chicago Tribune's John Kass sums up the problem with Obama very well: "President Selfie"

www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-kass-met-1211-20131211,0,5791218.column

He is the selfie President- the first truly pop-culture president, and he has demeaned himself and reduced the stature of the office, and of the United States of America with the idiotic behavior of a 20 something at a ball game.

[workpublic]

He is the selfie President- the first truly pop-culture president, and he has demeaned himself and reduced the stature of the office, and of the United States of America with the idiotic behavior of a 20 something at a ball game.

agree

IMHO that's why china challenged our navy and it was kept out of the press for a week.