I just don't know what the Republican Party could have done differently to avoid this controversy. If it was a black woman saying it, would that have been alright?
What's racist about the ad is what it does to a (thankfully diminishing) portion of the population. Some people who may not have a huge stake in voting in this election, will now show up to vote against a miscegenator.
I just don't know what the Republican Party could have done differently to avoid this controversy.
Cut out the middleman and all subtlety completely and just played the "Where all the white women at?" clip from Blazing Saddles in the middle of the ad?
atsrobstd: What's racist about the ad is what it does to a (thankfully diminishing) portion of the population. Some people who may not have a huge stake in voting in this election, will now show up to vote against a miscegenator.
A what? OH! NOW I GET IT!
"Harold Ford - He's Just Not Right"
(entrenched racism hidden message)
"Harold Ford - He's Light, Bright and Almost White"! (Don't forget the underlying music track set on "Minstrel Show") BEWARE
CRZ: Which part is the racist part? Seriously, I am either really naive or totally missing something. (Or I'm white and DON'T UNDERSTAND....but hopefully it's okay for me to ask)
We both have been enlightened!
FLEA
Demonstrations are a drag. Besides, we're much too high
I just don't know what the Republican Party could have done differently to avoid this controversy. If it was a black woman saying it, would that have been alright?
Now that I know the background, at least I get the ad. Still, I'm not sure why this is a relevant issue. Congressmen are not allowed to have fun? The only way I could see that it could possibly be an issue is if taxpayer money was somehow involved. Otherwise this is an attempt to make an issue out of nothing. Thus the Republicans could have avoided this controversy by sticking to issues that actually matter.
The Bored are already here. Idle hands are the devil's workshop. And no... we won't kill dolphins. But koalas are fair game.
I just don't know what the Republican Party could have done differently to avoid this controversy. If it was a black woman saying it, would that have been alright?
Now that I know the background, at least I get the ad. Still, I'm not sure why this is a relevant issue. Congressmen are not allowed to have fun? The only way I could see that it could possibly be an issue is if taxpayer money was somehow involved. Otherwise this is an attempt to make an issue out of nothing. Thus the Republicans could have avoided this controversy by sticking to issues that actually matter.
Ford has been claiming for most of his campaign to be a devout and conservative Christian. IIRC, he's gone so far as to film some his ads in churches for maximum effect. In addition, when asked about having attended the Playboy party by a reporter, Ford's answer was less than truthful. Given that, I'd say that this ad is making use of some of Ford's foibles and half-truths to paint a less than flattering picture of the candidate rather than making an issue out of nothing.
Tim
Vocatus atque non vocatus, Deus aderit. -- Erasmus
All others things being equal, the simplest solution is usually stupidity. -- Darwin Minor
Do you think he was really acting it for his own political view, or is he really bad off now? I could not believe people like Rush and Sean Hannity were actually making fun of the man on their radio shows.
My wife is in the healthcare field, and listening to others, it would be pretty difficult to act that way. Now, he admitted to sometimes not taking his medications to demonstrate what the disease does, though.
Originally posted by CajunManMichael J. Fox Campaign Ad Bashing Bush
Do you think he was really acting it for his own political view, or is he really bad off now? I could not believe people like Rush and Sean Hannity were actually making fun of the man on their radio shows.
Well he has done ads for Republican candidates who support his views on stem cell research in the past (Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania was one in 2004 according to MSNBC), so he does seem to cross party lines occasionally.
Originally posted by piemanMy wife is in the healthcare field, and listening to others, it would be pretty difficult to act that way. Now, he admitted to sometimes not taking his medications to demonstrate what the disease does, though.
Mine is too, and she says, well, she doesn't know. Her Dad has it as well.
But Fox doesn't do that when he's on Boston Legal, now does he?
Look, it's no worse than some of the other dirty tricks and crap going on. Here in my election, the Democrat, a guy named Baron Hill, an insurance salesman by trade, accuses the Republican incumbant of being "Millionaire Mike".
Of course, what he doesn't mention is that Sodrel built his million by working his ass off building a business after the Army taught him how to drive a truck. Because it's just wrong being a millionaire.
Sodrel is responding in the way everyone does these days - what the OTHER person didn't do or does do.
We'll be back right after order has been restored here in the Omni Center.
Originally posted by AWArulzMine is too, and she says, well, she doesn't know. Her Dad has it as well.
But Fox doesn't do that when he's on Boston Legal, now does he?
A quote from the Washington Post:
Fox has appeared in this season's "Boston Legal," the ABC dramedy starring William Shatner and James Spader. The show was taped over the summer. In his scenes, Fox does not shake or loll his head as he does in the Cardin commercial, but does appear to be restraining himself from doing so, appearing almost rigid at times.
A source with direct knowledge of Fox's illness who viewed the Cardin commercial said Fox is not acting to exaggerate the effects of the disease. The source said Fox's scenes in "Boston Legal" had to be taped around his illness, as he worked to control the tremors associated with Parkinson's for limited periods of time.
Sorry no link, I found the article reposted on another site. My emphasis added in first paragraph.
Originally posted by spf In his scenes, Fox does not shake or loll his head as he does in the Cardin commercial, but does appear to be restraining himself from doing so, appearing almost rigid at times.
A source with direct knowledge of Fox's illness who viewed the Cardin commercial said Fox is not acting to exaggerate the effects of the disease. The source said Fox's scenes in "Boston Legal" had to be taped around his illness, as he worked to control the tremors associated with Parkinson's for limited periods of time.
I am sure this is true. As far as I know, the many, many spots Fox filmed (he did this for lots and lots of politicians) are on tape as well. I guess he forgot to "restrain himeself" during these tapings. Maybe when he's picking up a paycheck at Boston Legal, he restrains himself, but when he films other things, he doesn't I dunno.
But as far as I know, they are both taped, and can have the whole "redo" thing.
We'll be back right after order has been restored here in the Omni Center.
Originally posted by AWArulzI am sure this is true. As far as I know, the many, many spots Fox filmed (he did this for lots and lots of politicians) are on tape as well. I guess he forgot to "restrain himeself" during these tapings.
Why should he "restrain himself" if those are the actual symptoms of the disease? One would think that having to fight those symptoms is not an easy ordeal.
Of course, the fact that Parkinson's reduces longevity may mean that Fox, eventually, won't have to "restrain" himself at all.
(edited by Leroy on 28.10.06 0017) "Oh my God! They have a shit-load of Cockapoo stuff!" -Jennifer's greatest quote... ever.
Originally posted by LeroyWhy should he "restrain himself" if those are the actual symptoms of the disease?
I hate to go back to the start of this deal, but the "controversy" was over the fact that Rush said he was either: "off his meds" Or "acting" in the ads.
He presents himself in public, including public appearances besides BL as fairly restrained in his disease, which we know is a bad deal for him. Then he does spots for 10-15 pro embyonic stem cell candidates (can we avoid THIS discussion - we have done it several times) and doesn't restrain himself (or is he acting duing the spots - since our other evidence of him, even recently is restrained, we don't know which is which).
But clearly, he CAN restrain himself. The question is why he did not. I guess I am supposed to feel sorry for him and vote for the Pol he's stumping for. I guess.
(edited by AWArulz on 28.10.06 1539) We'll be back right after order has been restored here in the Omni Center.
The Fox/Limbaugh issue (as well as the Ford issue) was touched upon during an NBC Nightly News report on Tuesday. The Netcast is still available here (video.msn.com) (starts at 7:12) or you can go to NewsBusters for just the Fox/Limbaugh clip (newsbusters.org) (Windows Media). Here's my transcript:
ANDREA MITCHELL: The Tennessee race isn't the only sign that the midyear elections are getting rough. Take a look at what Rush Limbaugh is saying about Michael J. Fox, the actor who suffers from Parkinson's disease and is campaigning for Democrats who support stem cell research. (voiceover) Limbaugh says Fox is acting -- exploiting his illness when he taped this ad for the Democratic senate candidate in Maryland.
MICHAEL J. FOX (in video clip): Stem cell research offers hope to millions of Americans with diseases like diabetes, Alzheimer's...and Parkinson's. But George Bush and Michael Steele would put limits on the most promising stem cell research.
RUSH LIMBAUGH (in video clip): He is movin' all around, and shaking, and it's purely an act...
MITCHELL (voiceover): In Illinois today, Fox responded.
FOX: What I love is we're close to an election and we're talking about stem cells. And, um, you know...that's - that's - that's the idea.
Now I have to admit that as I watched the news on Tuesday, the first thing I thought was pretty cynical: "He didn't really say he WASN'T..."*
What I also noticed was they let Michael Steele's name out during that report, but not the guy Fox was endorsing. The news is "funny" sometimes. That must be why I keep watching it. ;-)
I figure most every political ad is a waste of my time. Such time could be used prevent syndication cuts on The Simpsons at least. However, said ads combined with a dash of Mike Nelson riffing goodness, then you've got something entertaining. Or maybe it just appeals to me given that these are riffs on my state's 'quality' candidates.
(edited by LinearRO on 6.11.06 1453) Oooooooh, Ahhhhhh, Eeeeeee, Yaaaaaaaaa, Grrrrrrrrr, you son of a oh, eeeeeeee, and that's how we shave. -Homer Simpson
Originally posted by LinearROI figure most every political ad is a waste of my time. Such time could be used prevent syndication cuts on The Simpsons at least. However, said ads combined with a dash of Mike Nelson riffing goodness, then you've got something entertaining. Or maybe it just appeals to me given that these are riffs on my state's 'quality' candidates.
Ads put out by the parties aren't worth much, however, every ad approved by the candidate's campaign says alot. The trouble is most people react and don't repond to what they see.
NPR's "All Things Considered" show interviewed a couple of election ad voice-over guys about their work & techniques. Then the host had them read some "Fractured Fairytales"-type nursury rhymes in their best threatening election ad voices. Funny stuff.
HERE's a link to the NPR page on the interview, and the link to the streaming sound clip (about 6 minutes) is at the top.
I think that that other candidates are going to write-off NH soon and either focus on Iowa to get the bounce, or focus on the February 3rd states. This is getting ugly for them.