« Previous | Main | Next »

This could be embarrassing...

Justin Webb | 22:53 UK time, Friday, 5 December 2008

Whoops!

Bookmark with:
del.icio.us |
Digg |
Newsvine |
NowPublic |
Reddit
- What's this?

Comments

1. At 11:02pm on 05 Dec 2008, alexandercurzon wrote:
"NO EASY FIXES" Obama

Maybe a lesson for GORDY?

Complain about this comment
2. At 11:11pm on 05 Dec 2008, DominickVila wrote:
If the only thing President-elect Obama has to worry about is a young speechwriter having fun at a party, he is in good shape.

Complain about this comment
3. At 11:44pm on 05 Dec 2008, seanspa wrote:
The main embarassment is the publicising of the age of his chief speech-writer. What a wealth of experience that man must have, what maturity.

As Doug would say, just words, just speeches.

Complain about this comment
4. At 00:32am on 06 Dec 2008, OldSouth wrote:
This is funny. Rude, but funny!

In all the sturm and drang, I hope everyone can keep some sense of humor.

I propose a 'Best Caption Contest' for this picture, just remember, it has to be clean enough to get past the moderators.

How about, 'Bill always TOLD me these frat parties were fun...'

Complain about this comment
5. At 01:03am on 06 Dec 2008, seanspa wrote:
OldSouth, good idea, and a great start.

Favreau: you're rather flat
Clinton: So is your beer.

Complain about this comment
6. At 01:14am on 06 Dec 2008, Dennis Junior wrote:
Justin:
What was so Embarrassing...?

Complain about this comment
7. At 01:55am on 06 Dec 2008, SamTyler1969 wrote:
Justin,

If the gentleman in question has done nothing worse than copping a feel of a cardboard cut out at a party, I thank God the press pays no attention to me.

Morris Day Sam

Complain about this comment
8. At 02:40am on 06 Dec 2008, happylaze wrote:
well at least she looks animated.

If it doesn't upset Old south then I think it's OK.

On cars quick

Quote of the day from some guy on NPR senator I think

"We shouldn't bail them out, we should give tax cuts for people to buy cars"

like that hasn't been the basis of the economy for 8 years.

Complain about this comment
9. At 02:52am on 06 Dec 2008, Via-Media wrote:
Not funny, but also much ado about nothing.

I've listened for several years now to all the discussions about the Gen Y-ers (I hate these "generation labels") changing the way public vs. private info, and that eventually such public displays are going to be considered the norm.

I just don't buy it. My generation ("X") did stupid, embarrassing things, too while in high school, college, and after. But we moved on, and matured, and outgrew it. I truly think that as these people age they, too, will outgrow the need to display their wartish behavior, and walk away... like most folks outgrow the need to drink til you pass out.

In other words, it's the "what were we thinking?" syndrome...

Complain about this comment
10. At 03:17am on 06 Dec 2008, jrfuller wrote:
photoshop silly bird
hand does not fit
it is a fake

Complain about this comment
11. At 04:08am on 06 Dec 2008, chronophobe wrote:
Re: 4 Old South

"Bill, honey, it's payback time. Boys, lets git this party started!"

Complain about this comment
12. At 04:33am on 06 Dec 2008, allmymarbles wrote:
10, jrfuller.

I dragged the photo to my desktop, opened it with PhotoShop, and enlarged it. It is definitely a fake.

In any case, what is all the fuss about? Just young guys fooling around. People need to get a life.

Complain about this comment
13. At 04:39am on 06 Dec 2008, allmymarbles wrote:
10, 12.

If these people can get that much attention (and probably money) out of amateurish PhotoShop job, I should be able to make a mint.

Complain about this comment
14. At 05:01am on 06 Dec 2008, gunsandreligion wrote:
#13, Ms. Marbles, it depends upon who you are.

I doubt that we're talking about Paris Hilton
type money for publicity.

Hillary looks like she's really loosened up, though.

Complain about this comment
15. At 05:24am on 06 Dec 2008, BraunSA wrote:
The most excitement she's had in a long time! No worries for the new administration as the perpetrator in question is the liberal voice, so no need for the media or other stirrer to question his motive or mental state...

Complain about this comment
16. At 05:26am on 06 Dec 2008, BraunSA wrote:
And all the above mentions of a fake, you defenders of the deep (liberal insanity), Justin stated it is a cardboard cutout...

Complain about this comment
17. At 05:36am on 06 Dec 2008, allmymarbles wrote:
14, guns.

No. I think it depends on who the subject is. As for getting away with it, it's a question of matching pixels so that under magnification there are no anomalies.

Complain about this comment
18. At 05:46am on 06 Dec 2008, Jeebers76 wrote:
I think these politicians would be more popular if they just laughed once in a while, cracked a few jokes. I didnt't know Hillary had a sense of humor, , but then she might just be happy to be lusted after, just a tad. (evil grin) Y'know, I bet she hasn't been getting any since that whole Bill and Monica thing....

We all love attention, you know? ;-)

Complain about this comment
19. At 06:27am on 06 Dec 2008, BraunSA wrote:
Jolly Good time I suppose was had by all! Which is either way I than I can say for the far left of lefties the far right of righties who are lamenting choices for the new administration in general. Who would have thunk Obama would start out with a hawkish mask. Is it the "Panther" or the "Goebens", in the coming onslaught? Hmmm, you and I must study a bit of history to foretell what might lay ahead...

Complain about this comment
20. At 06:30am on 06 Dec 2008, gunsandreligion wrote:
#18, Jeebers, I'm surprised that she didn't
have a cigar in her hand. And here I thought
that she was liberated.

Complain about this comment
21. At 07:12am on 06 Dec 2008, Interestedforeigner wrote:
20 Guns: It was Bill who had the cigar.

Complain about this comment
22. At 07:45am on 06 Dec 2008, gunsandreligion wrote:
#21, Interested, yes, I remember. But now that
Hillary wears the "pants" in the family, it would
seem fitting that her habits would change.

Complain about this comment
23. At 07:58am on 06 Dec 2008, ladycm wrote:
Oh Lord... This is classy. He looks pretty young; if he wasn't up to this kind of Tom Foolery I would say there is something wrong with him. Remember when George Bush called a reporter an A**hole on camera? My favorite saying of all applies to this... S**t happens. That picture is hilarious. I wonder if Hillary is living vicariously through that cardboard cut out at this very moment. P.S. I like no...love the fact that the one gentlemen apparently shoving beer up Hillary's nose wore his "Obama staff" T shirt, good times.

Complain about this comment
24. At 09:11am on 06 Dec 2008, watermanaquarius wrote:
Justin,
Perhaps the info came in too late before you wrote your one word. Whoops!

533000 lost US jobs in November, defying all employment analysts expectations. Mostly in industry.
17 billion dollars in aid for the big 3 car makers. First down payment .?
And you indirectly go back to a previous old link, to highlight the previous plight of the GB car industry.{ Glad you read it.}

OldSouth # 4. At your request, this one is for you. I could never get my hands on one, - jrfuller # 10 -even secondhand!
the real thing
As an American you will remember this one too. It remains my favourite classic although the later kudos went to Henry F. and his gang.
Bless the Willys
Saved our bacon , and the Canadians.
Michael Moore making a joke about both sides

All, including Hillary. Oldies but goodies.

Complain about this comment
25. At 09:42am on 06 Dec 2008, watermanaquarius wrote:
Old South and your non- Brit bloggers do understand olde English cockney rhyming slang dont they?

Complain about this comment
26. At 09:58am on 06 Dec 2008, watermanaquarius wrote:
For those who are still confused, and need a link to the olde Country take a "butchers" at this.
a dying art of communication

Yes I know .Everybody has got to be a little "JohnMccaine" to post here.

Complain about this comment
27. At 11:05am on 06 Dec 2008, srlclark wrote:
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
28. At 11:17am on 06 Dec 2008, selfevidenttruths wrote:
Guy on right: 'Hillary, you make a great straw'
Hillary: 'You suck!'

Complain about this comment
29. At 11:30am on 06 Dec 2008, shurlyujest wrote:
"Embarrassing?" Really?

Somebody needs to get a life -- and stop the "Hillary was disrepected!!!" melodrama.

She's not Jesus Christ or the Virgin Mary, for chrissakes!!

She's just a woman -- a deeply flawed woman -- who got a shot to get back in the media spotlight (where she -- and Bill -- have always wanted to be), thanks to her one-time rival -- who doesn't believe holding grudges does anybody any good.

The times have changed. Let's move on to more serious stuff, OK?

Complain about this comment
30. At 12:26pm on 06 Dec 2008, DominickVila wrote:
I realize that obsessing over the calamities that currently afflict our lives and our future can be depressing, and that a little fun is sometimes a good way to shake the blues, but there must be more edifying subjects to discuss than a couple of young guys having fun...

Complain about this comment
31. At 12:38pm on 06 Dec 2008, phil29 wrote:

Justin,

Time to quit trying to find flaws and errors and "whoops" where none exist...Get a grip

Complain about this comment
32. At 12:39pm on 06 Dec 2008, phil29 wrote:
as it were..possibly a bad choice of words(my bad)

Complain about this comment
33. At 12:40pm on 06 Dec 2008, Catafourry wrote:
So if it's nothing, why is Favreau pretending like it's something? Taking all such photos down from the net surreptitously and keeping his head down. Pretty guilty behaviour. Allmymarbles clearly has her beady eye on him- wonder what she really was doing with that 'photoshop'!

Complain about this comment
34. At 2:25pm on 06 Dec 2008, Pancha_Chandra wrote:
A sense of humour is so vital. Of course some boundaries were crossed but it is all good natured fun. The serious business of governing starts on January 20th 2009. President-elect Obama has already shown remarkable resilience and has made good cabinet appointments . Once confirmed these members of his team will take America to new heights. There is so much of palpable expectation. Hillary has excellent credentials. She will be an excellent Secretary of State and do her country proud.

Complain about this comment
35. At 2:37pm on 06 Dec 2008, HabitualHero wrote:
Director of speechwriting? Is it too much to expect World leaders to cobble together a few coherent sentences of their own? This is why listening to political speeches is a waste of time.

That and the fact that they're bull****

Complain about this comment
36. At 4:45pm on 06 Dec 2008, Catafourry wrote:
#:35- this is not a good point to score against Obama- all pressies have speechwriters and he is as involved in their writing as any- the problem with his speeches is their vacuous content, not that he hasn't written them.

Complain about this comment
37. At 5:00pm on 06 Dec 2008, tucsonmike wrote:
Maybe not.

Complain about this comment
38. At 5:05pm on 06 Dec 2008, happylaze wrote:
30. At 12:26pm on 06 Dec 2008, DominickVila wrote:
I realize that obsessing over the calamities that currently afflict our lives and our future can be depressing, and that a little fun is sometimes a good way to shake the blues, but there must be more edifying subjects to discuss than a couple of young guys having fun...

But would those topics allow the "reporter" to get yet another side handed slap at Obama.

That is what this site is about is it not?

Complain about this comment
39. At 7:09pm on 06 Dec 2008, john-In-Dublin wrote:
#38 happylaze wrote:

"But would those topics allow the "reporter" to get yet another side handed slap at Obama./That is what this site is about is it not?"

Where would we be without the need, every so often, for people to remind us of the blatant and indisputable bias of Justin Webb against Obama.

And for Obama

And against Clinton [H]

And for Clinton [H]

And against McCain, Palin, and Republicans in general

And - you guessed it - for McCain, Palin, and Republicans in general

As I recall, in 1984 'doublethink' was much prized - ie the ability to hold 2 contradictory opinions at the same time.

It appears - according to some people here - that JW has already reached treblethink...

Complain about this comment
40. At 7:10pm on 06 Dec 2008, Catafourry wrote:
#34: What makes you so sure? If I've baked a cake I don't say 'this will taste good' to those around and then they all believe it without even bothering to eat it- I let them taste and tell me if it was good or not. The proof of Obama's presidency will be in the tasting and not in your say-so, Mr Chandra! Actions will have to take the place of words.

Complain about this comment
41. At 7:14pm on 06 Dec 2008, john-In-Dublin wrote:
I must say, I'm astonished by the widespread gullibility about this photo.

You really believe that's a cutout of HRC?

Nonsense. It's the real thing - photoshopped to look like a cutout.

She took her time getting revenge for Monicagate - but they do say revenge is a dish best served cold.

In fact that is by far the most innocuous of the photos. Anyone who wants to see the others should send the usual amount to my Swiss bank account. I'm also offering conclusive proof that Obama was in fact born in Chingford in Essex, and a v good deal on tinfoil hats...

Complain about this comment
42. At 7:53pm on 06 Dec 2008, abileen wrote:
I find all of this offensive and depressing. John Edwards had to fire his aid for her feminist review of a movie, yet this is "all in good fun"? We sure have a long way to go......

Complain about this comment
43. At 8:57pm on 06 Dec 2008, TrueToo wrote:
42. abileen,

Agreed. I find it extraordinary that this individual will be chief speech writer for the president of the USA.

They say your real character comes out when you have had a few drinks.

Complain about this comment
44. At 9:28pm on 06 Dec 2008, DominickVila wrote:
Ref 38

"That is what this site is about is it not?"

One of the most important requirements for a journalist is to generate interest, and that's exactly what Justin's topics and opinions do.

To his credit, he shows a lot more class than people like Rush Limbaugh and Lou Dobbs whose arrogance and cultural intolerance for anyone or anything different from the utopian world they long for often lead to character assassination and venemous diatribes against people and cultures they love to demonize and marginalize.

Complain about this comment
45. At 10:36pm on 06 Dec 2008, MagicKirin wrote:
ref #44

Dominick what is your problem with Dobbs?

I agree with Rush comment he and Obermann are opposite sides of the same intolerance coin.

Complain about this comment
46. At 11:45pm on 06 Dec 2008, DominickVila wrote:
Ref 45

"Dominick what is your problem with Dobbs?"

I find his constant criticism of Hispanics, and Mexicans in particular, very offensive and highly inappropriate for a major TV network. While he tries to convey his personal views under the guise of opposition to illegal immigration, the fact is that his rabid diatribes often encompass topics such as contaminated Mexican food, drug cartels, prostitution, use of the Spanish language in the USA and just about everything he can think of to demonize people and a culture whose biggest problem is that they don't have the economic resources and opportunities that we enjoy.

As a result, I watch Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune until Campbell Brown comes up.

Complain about this comment
47. At 03:53am on 07 Dec 2008, allmymarbles wrote:
There is a limit to how much you can say about a silly picture, so I wil say goodnight.

Complain about this comment
48. At 06:10am on 07 Dec 2008, ladycm wrote:
9. At 02:52am on 06 Dec 2008, Via-Media:

"I just don't buy it. My generation ("X") did stupid, embarrassing things, too while in high school, college, and after. But we moved on, and matured, and outgrew it. I truly think that as these people age they, too..."

I totally agree. Everybody does stupid stuff where they are younger (and older). I would like to focus on how young Obama's cheif staff writter is, way to go! If you are that young and have accomplished that much, and you make a stupid mistake??? That's life. We all regret things from time to time, it's called learning from your mistakes and life. Life would be boring if we didn't hang out head in shame every once in while and say "why did I do that?"

Complain about this comment
49. At 09:38am on 07 Dec 2008, Lee Roy Sanders, Jr. wrote:
The reporter who chose to post such pictures should be the one embarrassed. I can't see any professionalism forth coming. We all know all types of tom foolery happen. There is no news worthiness in such a report. There is no purpose and puts the reporters very character into question.

Complain about this comment
50. At 2:30pm on 07 Dec 2008, happylaze wrote:
44 dominick
"To his credit, he shows a lot more class than people like Rush Limbaugh and Lou Dobbs whose arrogance and cultural intolerance for anyone or anything different from the utopian world they long for often lead to character assassination and venemous diatribes against people and cultures they love to demonize and marginalize."

LOL
I love your IRONy

of the people you pick to compare him to.

He is in good company then .
And on that scale yes he is a genius.

Complain about this comment
51. At 2:32pm on 07 Dec 2008, happylaze wrote:
46 dominick

" the fact is that his rabid diatribes often encompass topics such as contaminated Mexican food, drug cartels, prostitution, use of the Spanish language in the USA and just about everything he can think of to demonize people and a culture whose biggest problem is that they don't have the economic resources and opportunities that we enjoy."

A better class of journalism

Complain about this comment
52. At 2:37pm on 07 Dec 2008, happylaze wrote:
48 or say " stuff you you over sensitive geriatrics"

Didn't hear you complaining when she started dividing the supporters over "bittergate" and "rev wright" with veiled racism, that Mc Cain and Palin took on after her defeat.

Well not necessarily racism but more of words that would appeal to racists.

I think it is great he has people so young working for him.

After all look where the older more responsible baby boomer generation has got us.

Complain about this comment
53. At 4:40pm on 07 Dec 2008, DominickVila wrote:
Ref 51

"A better class of journalism"

Sugar-coated racism and cultural bias...

Complain about this comment
54. At 6:25pm on 07 Dec 2008, happylaze wrote:
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
55. At 6:28pm on 07 Dec 2008, happylaze wrote:
48

52 lady

Sorry my writing was confusing .

I was meaning to say that others (not you) didn't complain.

Complain about this comment
56. At 7:05pm on 07 Dec 2008, happylaze wrote:
53 dominick you are right , i think.
I was never trying to suggest Dobbs was a good journalist just that your observations here seem to be an example of good rational un bias thinking.

Complain about this comment
57. At 00:04am on 08 Dec 2008, iongauge wrote:
I am just waiting for a HRC's female staffer harassing an Obama cut-out. That would be really funny.

Complain about this comment
58. At 02:54am on 08 Dec 2008, nessie1945 wrote:
Silly and harmless. If a cardboard fetish is the only 'dirt' thay can dig up on the guy, he's home free.

Have another brewski, dude.

If I were her, I'd invite him over for a drink or five. Never can tell....

Complain about this comment
59. At 06:02am on 08 Dec 2008, ThePursuader wrote:
The real story here is the comments on the original washingtonpost.com article - Wow those guys really are Offensive!

If anything will prevent the success of B. Obama in his mission to change America, it will be the ingrained ability of his compatriots to be offended by anything, and then make sure EVERYONE knows about it.

Complain about this comment
60. At 08:48am on 08 Dec 2008, richard33p wrote:
Oh, for crying outloud! If acting silly at a party is reason enough to put somebody on the spot for embarrassment, I wll no longer let my picture be taken at parties anymore.

Complain about this comment
61. At 07:21am on 09 Dec 2008, ladycm wrote:
#60: I second that, totally. I would argue that we need to lighten up! Stop being offended by everything and stop being so politically correct all of the time. Maybe if we had more fun, even if it is ridiculous and immature we wouldn't have the insane problems in our world; all of them due to people/groups who take themselves too seriously. Immature fun is the funnest kind of fun.

Complain about this comment
62. At 09:34am on 09 Dec 2008, watermanaquarius wrote:
richard33p #60, ladycm #61
Perfectly correct.
Some are making mountains out of molehills.

Complain about this comment
63. At 5:33pm on 09 Dec 2008, happylaze wrote:
62 also perfectly correct.

but better than making molehills out of mountains.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountaintop_removal_mining

Complain about this comment
64. At 10:40pm on 09 Dec 2008, watermanaquarius wrote:
happylaze # 63,
Your Moutaintop removal mining link had me confused. Were you being serious, or was I missing some subtle humerous inuendo above, below, or between the words that did not spring out to enter my mind. Despite indecision being the key to flexibility, I decided to try wikipedia.
"Honi soit qui mal y pense" is usually accepted by all as the translation :-" evil be to him who evil thinks" although now I find the literal translation from old french is - "Shame be to him who thinks evil of it'. This new discovery now opens a whole new world in my head having always accepted that the first translation was the correct one, [and my french at school being abysmal I never sought further].
This new knowledge seems to imply that according to the original french translation it counts as far worse to think a comment placed following Justins lead is evil, or even think Justins lead itself is evil, than to have a dirty mind and place a comment that could be slightly near the knuckle, below the beltline or somewhere above the garter. [HSQMYP, is after all the motto of the Most Noble Order of the Garter].
Perhaps you do not understand what a weight has been lifted from my shoulders, or should I say my own thoughts about how my brain misfunctions because I have always found it nigh on impossible to write or speak without leaving a double entendre message, naked and open, in the air or on paper, and was always clueless as to others strange reactions.
So, if we assume that any of my comments could possibly contain a double meaning, then it is worse to look for and object to any untoward meaning than me writing the phrase in the first place, and promoting a secondary meaning. You have probably saved me millions of money in attending a "shrink" to understand the ambiguity, yet purity of my communication skills. Thank you.
Consequently I must now congratulate you on getting such a tongue in cheek response [or not] past the moderators and me avoiding being shamed [or not] as the case may be.. Please do not tell me. One item per day is all this old head will take.
Should OldSouth return to these pages to adjudicate as to the winner in his "Best picture caption" competition you have my vote, and I hope you hang the copper plaque, tin pot or gold nugget he has dug up in pride of place to commemorate your victory here.
Of course if you are just an ecology freak like me then good on you. No removing of mountain tops for metals, coal or just for making concrete should be allowed. The pointy bits of a landscape are the best, and should be left as they are.
wma

Complain about this comment
65. At 3:58pm on 10 Dec 2008, happylaze wrote:
64 well. thankyou.
glad i could help

ps just a greenie

Complain about this comment
66. At 00:49am on 13 Dec 2008, labcoat_samurai wrote:
3. seanspa

"The main embarassment is the publicising of the age of his chief speech-writer. What a wealth of experience that man must have, what maturity."

How condescending. I find the notion of a young speechwriter to be refreshing, and perhaps it is in part to credit for the inspiring optimism in his speeches.

Einstein was a mere 26 when he proposed the theory of special relativity and even Jefferson was only 33 when he wrote the Declaration of Independence. Many of the most exciting ideas throughout history have come from young people.

I myself am 27 and unequivocally reject the notion that I have less to contribute to a discussion than an older person.

Complain about this comment