Comments on: words would not do

By: how to win a lottery

how to win a lottery — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 12:06:46 +0000

I do trust all of the ideas you have presented for your post. They are very convincing and will certainly work. Still, the posts are too brief for newbies. Could you please extend them a little from next time? Thank you for the post.

By: staypuftman

staypuftman — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:03:41 +0000

@Michael Allen

How can a kid that young conceptualize what makes a good president? Come on now, he's just doing what his parents told him to do.

By: Andrew A. Gill

Andrew A. Gill — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:47:28 +0000

Say, have you seen these images? They're kinda similar to the one you posted.

http://www.aprilwinchell.com/2008/11/05/tuesday/

By: Mark Rizik

Mark Rizik — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 01:06:00 +0000

>>From Steve Baba: "The problem is when people like Lessig try to use it (twice) for a political message when a similar picture could have been taken at a McCain or any other (football) rally and virtually no kids that age are mature or educated enough to be politically well informed.">>

I don't think Mr. Lessig means to suggest, "Even this child has enough political awareness to support Obama over McCain!" I think we can agree that, if this boy were raised by Republican parents, he would just as eagerly be holding a McCain sign.

I believe Mr. Lessig is more interested in the symbolic value of the photo. What does it depict? A solemn-faced youth rising up above a crowd of casual and smirking adults, to support a cause that he believes in.

Like it or not, there are real commonalities between this picture and Mr. Obama's campaign. Mr. Obama is young. His supporters are young. Mr. Obama is solemnly idealistic, and has distinguished himself even from fellow Democrats by his refusal to "fight dirty" and his determination to root out corruption in the political process. He is the "solemn-faced child." His fellow Congress members are the older, casual-faced, smirking crowd: casual to the corrupt status quo by long exposure, and smirking that anyone would question it.

Perhaps this photo says, "The spirit of youth is to solemnly believe that something is right and strive for that, rather than settle for the smarmy, ends-driven, self-interested compromises that have dominated politics for so long." Mr. Obama showed such integrity when, rather than condemn Rev. Wright, he gave his More Perfect Union speech. Or perhaps the photo is not about the nature of youth, but rather the fact that our youth are not going to settle for the corrupt politics of generations past. Certainly, photographs of the crowds at Mr. Obama's speeches against corruption bear out this vision of our youth. Either way, this photo resonates deeply with Mr. Obama, his campaign, and his stated ideals.

By: Steve Baba

Steve Baba — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:03:36 +0000

Joe: It’s an amazing good and cool shot which I and most have no problem with. The problem is when people like Lessig try to use it (twice) for a political message when a similar picture could have been taken at a McCain or any other (football) rally and virtually no kids that age are mature or educated enough to be politically well informed. Perhaps Lessig is extending the, "wisdom of crowds," to the, "wisdom of kids."

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:26:29 +0000

Wow. You people need to stop arguing over this picture. He's obviously not even a kid. Look how high he stands above everyone else in the crowd. He is obviously much older and more mature (physically and intellectually) than everyone else in the room.

By: Mike R

Mike R — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 05:13:05 +0000

Joe,

I didn't read too much into the photo. I just think it's an amazingly good shot.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:08:53 +0000

All I can say is that John McCain himself gave an entirely gracious concession speech that would serve as a terrific example for his disciples.

After two years of being inhabited by imposters (including the hellspawn of Atwater/Rove: Schmidt), perhaps the senator from Arizona will finally find his best stride back in the senate where he belongs.

Let's Move On. The future will wait no longer for us. It is here, and it is now, and it is full of hope once more.

That's what that picture is all about.

PS: Can we finally put the last nails in the coffin of Voodoo Economics, once and for all?

By: Michael Allen living in Seattle - Come say hi....

Michael Allen living in Seattle - Come say hi.... — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 01:22:47 +0000

Steve, John, you should just both go away.
What this picture shows is future generations supporting the new president. The man who can lead us into the 21st century.
Let go of the "old rich white man" syndrome and join us.

By: Joe Crimmings

Joe Crimmings — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:32:05 +0000

The interesting thing about a photograph and art in general is that a piece gets put out in to public view and everyone interprets it under their own precondition. Is this photo taken to show that only naive children are Obama supporters or was it to show the power of youth even if they aren't allowed to vote or was it taken because I had been sitting on a metal bleacher for more than an hour and thought, "hey, that's a cool shot." I never expected it to get the legs that is has and I have had several people voice positive and negative reactions to the photo. I welcome any interpretation because it helps others see different meanings in the photograph.

So, Steve & John.. Sure, it shows a naive and/or brainwashed child to you. But to others it could signify something more.