Chinese Humiliation
[Guest post by Aaron Worthing; if you have tips, please send them here.]
To borrow an Allahpundit riff, last years’ Nobel Prize winner held a state dinner for a man who is holding this year’s Nobel Prize winner in prison. As if that was not bad enough… well, there is this:
Chinese Pianist Plays Propaganda Tune at White House
US humiliated in eyes of Chinese by song used to inspire anti-Americanism
Lang Lang the pianist says he chose it. Chairman Hu Jintao recognized it as soon as he heard it. Patriotic Chinese Internet users were delighted as soon as they saw the videos online. Early morning TV viewers in China knew it would be played an hour or two beforehand. At the White House State dinner on Jan. 19, about six minutes into his set, Lang Lang began tapping out a famous anti-American propaganda melody from the Korean War: the theme song to the movie “Battle on Shangganling Mountain.”
The film depicts a group of “People’s Volunteer Army” soldiers who are first hemmed in at Shanganling (or Triangle Hill) and then, when reinforcements arrive, take up their rifles and counterattack the U.S. military “jackals.”
Read the whole thing, if you have the stomach for it. Of course this wouldn’t be the first time the Obama White House had inadvertently aired Chinese propaganda.
Still it makes this photoshop all the more appropriate:
(Via Althouse.)
[Posted and authored by Aaron Worthing.]
The protocol office should have screened the music to be played. This is one more failure of the basic principles of diplomacy, like the wrong Russian word on the “reset button” and the “gifts” given to the British PM and Queen. No matter what Obama’s Kenyan sympathies, what was done was amateurish and the work of fools.
Mike K (8f3f19) — 1/23/2011 @ 11:17 amI thought Teh One was going to restore our standing in the world. Seems his idea of restoring our standing is to having us become the punchline in anti-American rhetoric.
JD (d4bbf1) — 1/23/2011 @ 11:22 amI wouldn’t mind this kind of thing so much if the Oval Office showed a documentary on Tiananmen Square as part of the visit.
My word, we wouldn’t want to do that! We might offend the Chinese!
Simon Jester (bdc73f) — 1/23/2011 @ 11:28 amJD
oh, he is restoring our standing. in 1789, no one in the world had any respect of or fear of the United States. He is attempting to restore us to that condition.
Aaron Worthing (73a7ea) — 1/23/2011 @ 11:32 amAre you absolutely SURE that picture is a photoshop?
Gesundheit (aab7c6) — 1/23/2011 @ 11:33 amThis lack of thorough research beforehand, especially when the guest is China (who has willfully humiliated a previous American president and even Obama himself last year), seems to reveal this administration lacks a necessary shrewdness and would rather remain deaf, dumb and blind while assuming the China shares with us a mutual goodwill. It’s this dangerous naivete that is worrisome.
Dana (8ba2fb) — 1/23/2011 @ 11:36 amIs Michelle’s dress made out of tarps?
Topsecretk9 (ab69ad) — 1/23/2011 @ 11:48 amhttp://hillbuzz.org/2010/09/19/question-did-michelle-obama-wear-the-cat-pee-sofa-dress-to-church-today/
Tsk9 – you will love this one.
JD (d4bbf1) — 1/23/2011 @ 11:51 ami read some commenters making fun of Michelle’s dress.
Comments like ‘the left wing is well supported’ and ‘the right wing is not necessary’.
Can’t remember where that was…
anyway, Michelle Obama dresses like a barbie doll. It’s completely out of place. This person thinks an awful lot of herself. She’s merely the wife of a mere president. She is not a queen, lording amazing richness over a country in recession, as some kind of symbol of her majesty.
It says an awful lot about her values. She’s never been proud of America, despite amazing progress and feats, until they elevated her to this station. As Palin said, how can you be aware of our amazing volunteer military and not be proud of our country? And yet she dresses like an idiot’s concept of a barbie doll.
Dustin (b54cdc) — 1/23/2011 @ 11:52 amWhy does this story remind me of Larry King, plunking down the phone on “Shanghai” and getting punked by Captain Janks?
This would have been equivalent of an American pianist playing “Chopsticks.”
TimesDisliker (eb2cf6) — 1/23/2011 @ 11:54 amThe prior comments are all appropriate. I am wondering what would have happened had the Administration, instead of proceeding with a full state dinner in Hu’s honor, had told the Chinese that they could expect the same treatment that they received from President Bush when Hu first visited the White House as soon as the Chinese flew their stealth fighter in a deliberate effort to embarass us.
RAZ (996c34) — 1/23/2011 @ 11:55 am____________________________________________
US humiliated in eyes of Chinese by song used to inspire anti-Americanism
That’s outrageous! It’s almost as bad as a US president sitting in a church for 20 years listening to a litany of “Goddamn America” rhetoric.
Unthinkable!
America, you’ve been punked, coming and going.
Mark (411533) — 1/23/2011 @ 12:06 pmDustin,
Mrs. Obama is not merely the wife of the mere president downgrades both positions. And that might be misconstrued as you being less than proud of our American electoral system as well as denigrating the highest office in the land.
Attacking Mrs. Obama and using her attire as evidence for her lack of pride in being American is a massive stretch. On an aesthetic level, you may see her as nothing more than a Barbie-doll and that’s certainly your prerogative but to equate her chosen look of formal wear and accessory as further validation of her lack of patriotism, etc, doesn’t work.
The fact is, she is the First Lady and there is a level of protocol and formality required of the position. And when the affair is black tie, as clearly evidenced in the photo above, then her attire must be appropriate. What would you have her wear – a plain no-frills homespun cotton as evidence of her pride in America? A public statement of self-denial? Is she not to look feminine and attractive just because there might be an absurd leap to shallow vapidness or worse, confirmation that she is not proud to be an American?
I submit that your opinion of her is already fixed and that she is in a no-win position. To throw her clothing into the mix is just to pile on.
If our First Ladies loyalty to America were judged by the frivolity of their formal attire, then every First Lady’s pride in their country would be in doubt (save Rosalyn Carter).
Dana (8ba2fb) — 1/23/2011 @ 12:18 pmUgh. Let me try that again:
“Mrs. Obama is not merely the wife of the mere president and assuming such downgrades both positions. And
Dana (8ba2fb) — 1/23/2011 @ 12:21 pmthatassuming that might easily be misconstrued as you being less than proud of our American electoral system as well as denigrating the highest office in the land.”humiliation
TimesDislaiku (eb2cf6) — 1/23/2011 @ 12:23 pmone from column A and B
O eat number two
Dana, well said.
I do think there is an important level of respect and formality to being the President, or the President’s Spouse. But the concept of ‘President’ is meant to convey something completely different from majesty.
There is something more ‘mere’ about being the President. He’s simply a man doing a professional job of enforcing our laws and leading our government.
That’s why the term ‘president’ was selected.
Point taken. I don’t want to tell the first lady what to wear, but Michelle has gone so far beyond the Jackie O or Laura Bush level of simply wearing formal clothing on formal occasions. She looks like an extreme version of a barbie doll. It’s so far over the top, and so frequently.
I relate this to her lack of patriotism, because I don’t think she cares what it means to be the First Lady. This isn’t about the office of the Presidency. This is about Michelle Obama glorifying herself.
Of course not. She’s gone to the absurd leap stage, no “might” about it. She’s not merely looking like a first lady.
Indeed, I don’t need any confirmation that she’s not proud to be American.
Being a President is about wearing great power lightly, because it’s not really your power, but legal power. I’m not suggesting the President should be disrespected. I’m suggesting the office should know its place.
Dustin (b54cdc) — 1/23/2011 @ 12:32 pmJD,
HillBuzz is the place to go for analysis of everything Obama — Michelle’s fashions and Barry’s birth certificate.
DRJ (fdd243) — 1/23/2011 @ 12:33 pmextreme-right-wing say
TimesDislaiku (eb2cf6) — 1/23/2011 @ 12:43 pmforget birth certificate
where wedding license?
Those HillBuzz Democrats are often amusing, TheBawze.
DRJ (fdd243) — 1/23/2011 @ 12:50 pmMichelle has gone so far beyond the Jackie O or Laura Bush level of simply wearing formal clothing on formal occasions. She looks like an extreme version of a barbie doll. It’s so far over the top, and so frequently.
Dustin, Laura Bush, I think, takes the cake for going over the top.
My point is, there is a lot of subjectivity involved in assuming the formal attire of a First Lady equates somehow to her patriotism. That is the great leap being made.
Dana (8ba2fb) — 1/23/2011 @ 12:53 pmThe only thing I know is that the First Lady was forever ashamed of being an American, making over $150K/year in a PR flunky job for a hospital desperately seeking favors from her then – Senator husband. Thank goodness she’s not ashamed of us anymore.
Dmac (498ece) — 1/23/2011 @ 12:58 pmBTW, tell your child please to PUT DOWN THOSE FRIES, DAMNIT!!!
Dmac (498ece) — 1/23/2011 @ 12:58 pmI relate this to her lack of patriotism, because I don’t think she cares what it means to be the First Lady. This isn’t about the office of the Presidency. This is about Michelle Obama glorifying herself.
Ah, so you are assuming a First Lady’s (or the First Ladies) fashion decisions directly relate to their level of patriotism?
And if that’s so, then how on earth do we judge a president’s patriotism – after all, their formal attire varies only by white tie or black tie and their everyday wear by which color suit to wear.
This standard reeks of sexism.
Dana (8ba2fb) — 1/23/2011 @ 12:59 pmDana,
Laura may do ruffles but can she match Michelle’s ruffles with a big belt?
DRJ (fdd243) — 1/23/2011 @ 1:08 pmGod you people are stupid.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Motherland
“My Motherland” was called as “A Big River” (Chinese: 一条大河) by the author initially; it represented the hundreds of rivers that flowed by the homes of the Chinese people. The title was changed when it was published with movie.
Although the song was written for the movie about Korean War in 1950s, there is no mention of the war at all. It describes a soldier (or anyone who is away from home) thinking about his home and his family. Thus, this song is extremely popular even when the movie itself is almost forgotten.
jharp (3bd2a1) — 1/23/2011 @ 1:12 pmWOW.
I have to admit, if Michelle wore that I would say that is absolutely absurd, though I can say that for Laura too.
WOW.
Of course I do, when asking why someone who already professes a lack of pride in America behaves in a peculiar way. I only know so much about this person. They dress in this unusual way (sorry, Laura Bush didn’t rise to Michelle’s level on a daily basis), and they hate America.
And yeah, Obama really, really hates America. She had her babies baptized in the God Damn America, It’s In The Bible church.
And no, it’s not sexist. Men don’t have as much room to express something about themselves in the way they dress, but it’s not like I must therefore ignore Michelle’s behavior because a male would be harder to analyze.
The fact is, Michelle’s dress suggests an unusual amount of majesty. I don’t think that’s appropriate for the First Lady. You are free to differ, but there’s nothing sexist about my view.
Dustin (b54cdc) — 1/23/2011 @ 1:14 pm“This standard reeks of sexism.”
Dana – Good thing that when an NBA team grabs her to fill in as an injury replacement as a power forward we will have a temporary reprieve from such sexism.
daleyrocks (e7bc4f) — 1/23/2011 @ 1:16 pmOK, I want to clarify that I don’t think someone’s dress “directly” relates to their patriotism. I think that’s an unfair reading of what I’m saying.
I think if someone is particularly unpatriotic, and they frequently make a special show as Michelle does, or live in a particularly bizarre way, I can relate the two concepts. But the “direct” relationship is Michelle, rather than these two sides of her personality.
America has never had anyone as unpatriotic as Michelle, nor have we had anyone with this pattern of dressing, the isolated Laura picture notwithstanding.
Dustin (b54cdc) — 1/23/2011 @ 1:17 pmDRJ, it’s mind boggling she (or a stylist) has given that look the nod, but at least she is tall enough to not looked dwarfed by it like Laura Bush or Hillary Clinton would… Anyway, at least this First Lady didn’t wear her nightie to a formal state dinner…talk about taking the easy way out.
Dana (8ba2fb) — 1/23/2011 @ 1:21 pmDana’s really piercing my bubble with these pics of other first ladies who also look like idiots.
Dustin (b54cdc) — 1/23/2011 @ 1:24 pmYet another in a never ending series of incidents demonstrating the incompetence of the Obama administration.
These never stop.
SPQR (26be8b) — 1/23/2011 @ 1:28 pmHer manner of dress does not speak to a lack of patriotism, but rather, a lack of taste. Who stole the sofa cover from the retirement home?!
JD (0d2ffc) — 1/23/2011 @ 1:29 pmDustin, you do realize that Laura Bush is 20 years older than Michelle Obama, right? They are in different style generations and fashion. What works for Bush, wouldn’t necessarily for Obama, and vice-versa – not only because of their disparity in age but their individual builds and size, and personalities. Also keep in mind that because of her stature, anything is going to stand out more on her as opposed to the smaller Mrs. Bush or Mrs. Clinton.
I just find it absurd that you see any connection between Mrs. Obama’s fashion and patriotism. Her style is fitting someone young. She seeks out up and coming designers to wear, thus giving their names a much needed boost.
Attack her on her positions, dismantle justifications and rationales, hold her accountable for her hypocrisy, and even hold her own statements of only recently becoming proud of her country against her thus letting those be your evidence. But to throw in her fashion, or your belief that she is a Barbie doll and regularly over-the-top in it, is to distract from something substantial and focusing instead on something very, very subjective.
Dana (8ba2fb) — 1/23/2011 @ 1:30 pmI admit, just because someone dresses like Michelle does, even if they are first lady, that doesn’t mean they aren’t patriotic.
However, Michelle is unpatriotic (let me know if you don’t accept this), and I think that her other behavior is related.
Dustin (b54cdc) — 1/23/2011 @ 1:38 pmProbably this is a very good point, but I’m not suggesting I’m speaking deductively about fashion. I just think Michelle’s behavior deserves mockery.
Dustin (b54cdc) — 1/23/2011 @ 1:39 pm“Who stole the sofa cover from the retirement home?!”
I thought it was a shower curtain!
daleyrocks (e7bc4f) — 1/23/2011 @ 1:43 pmHere’s a question for the gallery – do you think Obama would actually say anything to his wife if he felt a dress for a public event may not have appeared all that favorable to her? I don’t think so – worst PW’hipped POTUS ever.
Dmac (498ece) — 1/23/2011 @ 1:51 pmThis was not inadvertent, obama is actively trying to lose the korean war [ it is not over ,there is only a truce]he is and always will be on the socialists side while facing mecca to pray. We normally monitor avery submarine movement in the world 24/7. The only way a north korean sub could have torpedoed that south korean naval vessal was if the intelligence was interdicted by the white house leaving them unaware of the threat.
dunce (b89258) — 1/23/2011 @ 1:54 pmI agree it’s about taste, JD. Michelle doesn’t wear nightgowns now that she’s an adult. She’s more into the bag lady look.
DRJ (fdd243) — 1/23/2011 @ 1:58 pmMEEEEOOOOOwwwww
daleyrocks (e7bc4f) — 1/23/2011 @ 2:03 pmDRJ’s nightgown pics have a lot of pics that do resemble a public service attitude, with Michelle dressed normally at a soup kitchen. I admit, the sheer quantity of pics of this event start to grate on me… seems a bit like a glamor spread, all about Michelle, instead of the problem of hunger.
Laura Bush simply was better at this job than Michelle is, because it wasn’t all about Laura, to Laura.
Dustin (b54cdc) — 1/23/2011 @ 2:10 pmIt may seem catty, daleyrocks, or it may just be generational. Michelle Obama is 10 years younger than I am and perhaps her generation dresses in a different manner than mine was taught. On the other hand, the first rule of diplomacy and professionalism is not to make yourself the focus of inappropriate attention. It’s why I think choosing a red dress for the Chinese state dinner was remarkably tone deaf, and I’ll leave it at that.
DRJ (fdd243) — 1/23/2011 @ 2:18 pmLaura Bush had her diva moments, too.
I think all of this goes back to the fact that Mrs. Bush is simply more respected, revered, and with a solid, unwavering reputation as a citizen very honored to be in the WH.
Of course that she never made any ugly statements of disappointment in her country certainly solidified that view of her. And that the majority of the left also held her patriotism and humility in high regard spoke (and speaks) volumes. To this day she remains honored and thrilled to have represented her country as First Lady. A wonderful woman.
Dana (8ba2fb) — 1/23/2011 @ 2:22 pmHu Jintao laughing
ColonelHaiku (f8a47b) — 1/23/2011 @ 2:24 pmup sleeve serving Obama
cream of sum yung guy
DRJ – I’m on your side on this and was just making an observation. Last summer during Michelle’s summer mega-vacation in Spain I sent Patterico a picture of her walking up a set of stone steps with Mrs. Sarkozy and some European Princess or other. It was not a flattering contrast, even if the picture was photoshopped.
daleyrocks (e7bc4f) — 1/23/2011 @ 2:24 pmDRJ, the asymmetry of the dress lost me from the get-go, but I read that the color red was chosen as it has always been a symbol of good luck in China.
…but as Althouse points out, it’s also the color of communism.
Dana (8ba2fb) — 1/23/2011 @ 2:26 pmNo accident that it is the color of communism.
JD (d4bbf1) — 1/23/2011 @ 2:44 pmjharp,
“God you people are stupid.”
I’ll tell who’s stupid, sweet pea: Lang Lang, the pianist. Methinks that ivory-tickling twerp won’t be invited back to the White House again in this lifetime or the next.
Capisce, comrade?
MarkJ (42fe5b) — 1/23/2011 @ 3:08 pmBy the way, this is a non-partisan criticism on my part. I can’t find a link but I recall Nancy Reagan wore red to a State Dinner for the Chinese premier and was similarly criticized.
As for the catty part, I honestly don’t think Michelle’s dress was asymmetrical. I think she just chose to wear it that way, which is why one strap buckled in places. (I’ll say it for you, daleyrocks: MEEEEOOOOOwwwww.)
DRJ (fdd243) — 1/23/2011 @ 3:10 pmCheeseheads to Superbowl.
daleyrocks (e7bc4f) — 1/23/2011 @ 3:14 pmAfter how the Bears played tonight, I’m glad they aren’t going to the Super Bowl. Lovie would just get destroyed with that team.
I think Mr Smith just saw his last game as Bears head coach.
Scott Jacobs (d027b8) — 1/23/2011 @ 3:18 pmWhether intentional or not, asymmetry makes me nuts. But boy, did I forget about Hillary’s va-voom look for the French State Dinner.
Clearly, all First Ladies have had their hits and misses.
Dana (8ba2fb) — 1/23/2011 @ 3:22 pmI’m an NFC person so I hope the Packers win it all. Are you picking the Steelers or the Jets to face them?
DRJ (fdd243) — 1/23/2011 @ 3:23 pm_______________________________________
Methinks that ivory-tickling twerp won’t be invited back to the White House
Not if the current occupant remains there. In fact, I wouldn’t put it past him — who embraced Jeremiah Wright until controversy ensued — to give the pianist a wink and sly smile for what he did.
Mark (411533) — 1/23/2011 @ 3:29 pmnew Chinese dish name
TimesDislaiku (eb2cf6) — 1/23/2011 @ 3:29 pmfor big O is: balls on chin
no substitutions
“Are you picking the Steelers or the Jets to face them?”
DRJ I don’t care. My season is over. I can’t root for the cheeseheads.
Scott – I think Lovey will be back after the way the team finished the season compared to its start. Huge turnaround.
daleyrocks (e7bc4f) — 1/23/2011 @ 3:41 pmThe Freezer’s TD dance was good.
daleyrocks (e7bc4f) — 1/23/2011 @ 3:42 pmCha-Ching Dynasty
TimesDislaiku (eb2cf6) — 1/23/2011 @ 3:45 pmO about the benjamins
Yuan talks, Xiaobo rots
Dana @#24: I had to look. I wouldn’t use the term “va-voom.”
But then I agree with the lookism critique. Men don’t have many choices. Perhaps the POTUS can wear a kain when an Indonesian delegation arrives.
Simon Jester (c8876d) — 1/23/2011 @ 3:55 pmI have two things to say:
1) I do not understand how people get away with charging oodles of dollars for things that look more outlandish than pretty, attractive, exquisite, or distinguished. (I also do not know why you cannot find well made, attractive, appropriately modest clothes for girls older than 5 – I’m tempted to start my own line unless Oshkosh B’gosh doesn’t start soon).
2)DRJ’s comment at #17 has an interesting link. I guess we know that Obama went by Barry Soweto for awhile, what would be the ramifications if he never had it legally cnhanged back to Barach Obama??
MD in Philly (3d3f72) — 1/23/2011 @ 3:56 pmMy wife is happy GB won, as she is a native Badger.
MD in Philly (3d3f72) — 1/23/2011 @ 3:57 pmMD, I don’t think that there is anything horrific going on with the birth certificate and such; I do suspect that there are some embarrassing things in the man’s resume (beyond what we already know). College transcripts, the issue you bring up, etc.
It’s always the coverup, isn’t it?
Simon Jester (c8876d) — 1/23/2011 @ 4:01 pmThe Asia Times sees China’s visit benefited them in a number of ways, not the least being a power that the United States now talks to, and not talks at. Our benefit?
Tough talk on Chinese currency and human rights issues and Beijing’s irritating habit of supporting North Korea and Iran was carefully modulated, with both leaders performing a predictable and rather tedious tango for the benefit of the media.
Therefore, in the area of visuals, China got what it wanted: acknowledgment, not necessarily of its status as a burgeoning regional power, but of its role as an important US interlocutor.
Hu’s visit puts China on a par with US strategic allies India (state visit by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, November 2009) , and the Republic of Korea (state visit by President Lee Myung-bak, June 2010), while nosing out Japan (which, presumably as punishment for its political dysfunction and inability to toe the US line on relocation of the Futenma Marine Air Base on Okinawa, has been forced to content itself with a non-state official visit by Prime Minister Naoto Kan, September 2010).
Being recognized as a nation that the United States talks to, instead of one that the United States talks at, is an important goal of Chinese foreign policy.
Dana (8ba2fb) — 1/23/2011 @ 4:08 pmA patriotic song that praises the motherland in a war victory? You mean like our National Anthem?
Truth (7c85b9) — 1/23/2011 @ 4:20 pmTwoof and jharpy eat boogers.
JD (d48c3b) — 1/23/2011 @ 4:24 pmI wonder how many times our visiting British dignitaries have stood through the Star Spangled Banner? How dare we have such a war propaganda message in our national anthem?
Childish and divisive post.
Truth (017d51) — 1/23/2011 @ 4:31 pmTwoof and its multiple aliases calling someone else childish and divisive when it routinely engages in patent asshattery and violent eliminationist rhetoric is the pinnacle of unintentional irony.
JD (0d2ffc) — 1/23/2011 @ 4:56 pmIs divisive some new codeword for “you just proved Obama’s administration is incompetent?”
Any effective criticism is going to ‘divide’ Obama’s support. Oh heavens.
Dustin (b54cdc) — 1/23/2011 @ 5:00 pmBTW, Truth, the US Revolution was for human right against the Tyrant King George. You’re a fool to compare that to the US’s heroism in Asia. This song is about killing US Soldiers. It is not acceptable for it to be played in our White House. And merely calling attention to this is ‘childish’. Right.
A whole lot of lefty trolls lately. It’s like the Bush era all over again. Is it because Obama’s agenda died in November of 2010?
Dustin (b54cdc) — 1/23/2011 @ 5:05 pmDisagreeing with Teh Chosen Won is childish and divisive. disagreeing with the criminal incompetent warmongering bloodforoil Bush was hailed as dissent being the highest form of patriotism. FU, twoof.
JD (d4bbf1) — 1/23/2011 @ 5:16 pmI huge amount of the arguments from the left basically just say “you shouldn’t have brought that up. Shut up, loser.”
I guess the reality based community is touchy about the reality part.
Dustin (b54cdc) — 1/23/2011 @ 5:21 pmThe difference, you f**king idiot, is that the Star Spangled Banner is our national anthem, while the ditty that Lang Lang played was not the Chinese national Anthem.
Also, WE don’t play the national anthem when abroad, the other countries would be the one to do it our of respect for the visiting dignitary.
Playing it yourself shows a lack of class that is in addition to the fact that it was a propaganda piece.
Scott Jacobs (d027b8) — 1/23/2011 @ 5:22 pmTwoof – how many names have you posted under, and what are they?
JD (d4bbf1) — 1/23/2011 @ 7:15 pmVia Instapundit, we find the Epoch Times, which this story is sourced to, is owned by the Falun Gong. They of course have been persecuted by the Chinese government since being banned in 1999.
I don’t know if that invalidates the claim made by them re the pianist (clearly they have an axe to grind with the Chinese gov’t.) or instead is a feather in their cap exposing just how little regard for America the Chinese government has.
Interesting either way.
Dana (8ba2fb) — 1/23/2011 @ 7:33 pmTruth is evidently too dumb to know that the Star Spangled Banner’s lyric does not celebrate a war victory. Rather it commemorates the bombardment of Fort McHenry. The Battle of Baltimore, of which that bombardment was a part, are arguably a victory but hardly a notable one since the amphibious operations by the British were nothing but a raid.
And that does not even address the fact that the tune is a British drinking song.
SPQR (26be8b) — 1/23/2011 @ 7:33 pmSPQR – don’t go confusing the lying trolls. They are just spitting out their memes in service of Teh Narrative.
JD (d4bbf1) — 1/23/2011 @ 7:38 pmHow now Hu Jintao
ColonelHaiku (f8a47b) — 1/23/2011 @ 7:48 pmsuit and tie shame chairman Mao
diphthong long duc dong
and I’m spent…
ColonelHaiku (f8a47b) — 1/23/2011 @ 7:49 pmI think it’s pretty safe to say that our country has once again been played for fools. The troll response is the evidence.
A nation on the edge of the edge of worthlessness only needs the fifth column to tip the scales. Trolls wish for our decline to prove their truth without realizing the consequences.
Ag80 (e03e7a) — 1/23/2011 @ 7:49 pmHong Kong Taiwan use
TimesDislaiku (eb2cf6) — 1/23/2011 @ 7:56 pmmonothong i.e. Bruce Lee
punch chop sock kick block
Chinese laundry rule:
TimesDislaiku (eb2cf6) — 1/23/2011 @ 7:59 pmno tickee, no washee but
O got pressed and cleaned
Ag – it is remarkable the lengths the likes of jharpy and two of will go to just to try to make Barcky look like less of an idiot. In this instance, they are lying about the context of a movie, and of the origins in the Star Spangled Banner. It is almost as though their devotion to Teh Narrative is greater than their devotion to America.
JD (d4bbf1) — 1/23/2011 @ 8:02 pmOK, it is out of my system.
TimesDisliker (eb2cf6) — 1/23/2011 @ 8:03 pmJD:
Amen. I think they do not know what they want, but the result will be the inability to say I am stupid. Nor will they be able to say they are smart. That’s what they really don’t understand.
Ag80 (e03e7a) — 1/23/2011 @ 8:13 pmI think to get even with China on this matter, when Obama goes to Peiping for a state visit we should get an American pianist to perform a rousing rendition of “Chopsticks” at the formal dinner. One that goes on for 10 or 15 minutes would be my preference.
JVW (4463d3) — 1/23/2011 @ 8:41 pm#85 JVW, I did that joke on #10. I’m not calling you a joke thief, sometimes great minds and all that. David Spade and Larry Miller both do a “tire air wrench” bit, and they both do it with integrity. But Miller got there first, and you have to respect that.
TimesDisliker (eb2cf6) — 1/23/2011 @ 8:46 pmAh, damn, Timesdisliker, so you did. In my defense, I had 84 comments to read through, and I actually did try skim them in order to see if anyone had made that joke. I obviously overlooked your submission, thinking that most everyone had made this into a discussion of women’s fashion.
JVW (4463d3) — 1/23/2011 @ 8:49 pmNo worries. My own technique for those situations is to click ‘Edit’, click ‘Find On This Page…”, then type in a keyword. For instance, every time I think I have a joke with a punchline that includes the word “racist” I discover that JD has already got there, and done it funnier than me anyway. Oh well, we do our best to keep our comedy pure, but it happens all the time.
For instance, The one-hit wonder Bellamy Brothers
TimesDisliker (eb2cf6) — 1/23/2011 @ 9:02 pmhas accused Britney Spears of stealing their song title, but it turns out to be a phrase coined by Groucho Marx. Milton Berle once said, “talent creates, but genius steals!” Cheers, JVW!
One more thing JVW, let it be known that Col Haiku was the first and best at the form. I will not confess to stealing his jokes, but in the pro wrestling world I would be guilty of “gimmick infringement.”
TimesDisliker (eb2cf6) — 1/23/2011 @ 9:17 pmI am going to issue a pre-emptive denunciation and condemnation.
JD (d4bbf1) — 1/23/2011 @ 9:24 pmI did love it, thank you.
Topsecretk9 (ab69ad) — 1/23/2011 @ 11:14 pmI wonder how many times our visiting British dignitaries have stood through the Star Spangled Banner? How dare we have such a war propaganda message in our national anthem?
How would a song about a battle the British won embarrass them?
Another Chris (67858a) — 1/24/2011 @ 2:15 amOur esteemed guest host wrote:
There are many things done inadvertently by this White House; I’m kind of surprised when they get something right, intentionally.
The Dana who finds it typical (3e4784) — 1/24/2011 @ 11:28 amMr Worthing commented:
FTFY
The helpful Dana (3e4784) — 1/24/2011 @ 11:31 amWell, it’s obvious that the First Lady could use our help; we’ve helped women even uglier than her look at least slightly presentable.
But we’ll have our work cut out for us this time!
Stacy and Clinton (3e4784) — 1/24/2011 @ 11:38 amNot quite getting all the personal attacks on appearances. Being less than perfect in dress and appearance is not a crime or a sin, and 99% of us fall into this category.
I have been accused of being “nearly good-looking” myself.
TimesDisliker (897d25) — 1/24/2011 @ 11:57 amTimesDisliker, I’m definitely not a fan of Michelle Obama but like you, I have no interest in ridiculing her fashion sense. Indeed, my goal is to never notice how she dresses at all.
SPQR (26be8b) — 1/24/2011 @ 12:00 pmScrew that civility crap. She looks like an idiot half the time.
Dustin (b54cdc) — 1/24/2011 @ 12:07 pmLang Lang a panda?
ColonelHaiku (f8a47b) — 1/24/2011 @ 4:05 pmor is he man? sing us song
you’re da PandaMan
Bill Clinton Panda
TimesDislaiku (bd604f) — 1/25/2011 @ 5:21 amalike because each of them
eats, roots, shoots, and leaves
Good grief…you douchebags are only happy when you’re bitching about something. Face it…Obama could personally cure cancer and you assholes would complain.
Larry (47e391) — 1/26/2011 @ 5:14 amGood point, Larry, you have certainly put everyone in their place. A good day’s work, sir, drop by again!
TimesDisliker (caf8eb) — 1/26/2011 @ 6:11 amYep…thanks asshole.
Larry (47e391) — 1/27/2011 @ 5:44 amGood comeback! Color me chastised! Please give regards to your fellow travelers at Daily Kos and the DNC.
TimesDisliker (e0445b) — 1/27/2011 @ 5:50 am