The Wow I Can't Believe That News Story Thread

[Frownland]

Then why do you do it* so often?


*Just to be clear, by "it" I'm referring to making meaningless, nonconstructive, and boring posts which you have said to be a trademark of mine. "It" does not refer to other trademark elements of my personality such as sexiness, pretentiousness, sense of humour, or intelligence.

[Chula Vista]

Originally Posted by Frownland

*Just to be clear, by "it" I'm referring to making meaningless, nonconstructive, and boring posts which you have said to be a trademark of mine. "It" does not refer to other trademark elements of my personality such as sexiness, pretentiousness, sense of humour, or intelligence.

Not going to debate the others, but I've got you stone cold on sexiness.

[Frownland]

Originally Posted by Chula Vista

Not going to debate the others, but I've got you stone cold on sexiness.

Whatever you need to tell yourself man.

So are you going to answer my question?

[Trollheart]

Originally Posted by OccultHawk

True. But to me, Trump is uniquely repulsive. I’d rather have the Westboro people show up. No exaggeration. He’s that sickening.

Sort of like having your murderer show up at your funeral, looking falsely apologetic and sympathetic.

[OccultHawk]

Originally Posted by Frownland

Recs? I unintentionally rip people off all the time, what's weird is when I do it without hearing them beforehand.

You’ve heard him before.

Universal Congress Of

The name must have just missed you

[OccultHawk]

Originally Posted by Chula Vista

Not going to debate the others, but I've got you stone cold on sexiness.

[Lisnaholic]

Originally Posted by Frownland

I don't think that comforting victims of tragedies is a necessary function for the president tbh. It just feels empty.

^ Not the most important part of their job, of course, but it's still expected of a head of state. Any time there's a tragedy that impacts a whole nation, the head of state steps up to speak for the people, expressing sorrow or sympathy. A frivolous analogy might be the way the boss of a workplace makes a speech at a retirement party.

It's also a chance for heads of state to learn a bit of humility by meeting, honouring and talking, both to and about specific ordinary citizens, regarding them as more than just voters to be wooed. It's a real showcase of a President's charisma and empathy as well, and they get it wrong at their peril, as happened when the Queen misjudged the public mood after Lady Di was killed. She had to endure some of the worst headlines of her entire reign. The only one I still remember said, "Show us you care, ma'am" which is pretty ludicrous at one level, but that's how many people felt at the time: cheated because they didn't have a mourning figurehead on tv.

Originally Posted by Frownland

.....elements of my personality such as sexiness, pretentiousness, sense of humour, or intelligence.

Originally Posted by Chula Vista

Not going to debate the others, but I've got you stone cold on sexiness.

^ At last the rivalry between Chula and Frownland is getting down to fundimentals: it's always been about who has the biggest penis.

And, yes, back on topic, I agree with TH and OH: Trump is just creepy, with his deadpan, off-to-the-side, autocue pronouncements.

[Frownland]

Originally Posted by Lisnaholic

^ Not the most important part of their job, of course, but it's still expected of a head of state. Any time there's a tragedy that impacts a whole nation, the head of state steps up to speak for the people, expressing sorrow or sympathy.

I understand that it's expected, I just don't find it necessary or beneficial. The president can act nice and feel sorry for those involved in an incident, but neighbours, family, friends, and the media have that very much covered.

A frivolous analogy might be the way the boss of a workplace makes a speech at a retirement party.

Lol I see that as an unnecessary injection of oneself into someone else's business. Then again, I just work with a lot of people like that so maybe the analogy comes off differently for you.

It's also a chance for heads of state to learn a bit of humility by meeting, honouring and talking, both to and about specific ordinary citizens, regarding them as more than just voters to be wooed. It's a real showcase of a President's charisma and empathy as well, and they get it wrong at their peril, as happened when the Queen misjudged the public mood after Lady Di was killed. She had to endure some of the worst headlines of her entire reign. The only one I still remember said, "Show us you care, ma'am" which is pretty ludicrous at one level, but that's how many people felt at the time: cheated because they didn't have a mourning figurehead on tv.

That's still not something that I find necessary in a leader, but even if I did, wouldn't a president consoling victims of a tragedy because they feel compelled to very much be treating those victims like voters?

^ At last the rivalry between Chula and Frownland is getting down to fundimentals: it's all about who has the biggest penis.

Yes, I remember when that really came to a head in the member picture gallery and a load of posts were deleted.

[Lisnaholic]

^ I can't really refute a single point you make there.
I suppose it's all about what you expect from your head of state, and your expectations are just as valid as the Brits who ( for whatever motives) wanted to see the Queen choking up on tv and rending her garments in her grief. Personally, I like leaders to show some decorous, discreet acknowledgement of a disaster and in that earlier video clip I thought Obama came off very well. He appeared genuinely upset, which was borne out by the subsequent quote, that it was "the single worst day of his presidency."

Originally Posted by Frownland

Yes, I remember when that really came to a head in the member picture gallery and a load of posts were deleted.

^ ... and also fervently hoping that it is indeed a joke..

[Trollheart]

Yes, I'm stupid (no, don't argue - oh, you weren't. I ... see.... ) but it took me a moment to understand this headline:

Ford's president of North America is out

I was like, Ford? He was decades ago, man! What the hell are they talking about? Feel free to laugh at me; I did.