John Hodgman Asks Obama, "Are You a Nerd?" 147
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samzenpus
from the gooble-gobble-one-of-us-one-of-us dept.
from the gooble-gobble-one-of-us-one-of-us dept.
Hugh Pickens writes "Watch a video of comedian John Hodgman speak after Barack Obama at the recent Radio and Television Correspondents Association dinner in DC and discuss the central question of our age: "how we can heal the great and shameful division that has plagued our nation for so long — the age old conflict between jocks and nerds" and ask Obama: Are you now, or have you ever been, a nerd?"
Let's first agree on one thing (Score:5, Insightful)
I suggest we first define who a nerd is. Otherwise this being slashdot, we'll end up submitting comments about something that is entirely different depending on who is posting.
My submission: I agree with this definition [wikipedia.org] and hope that all of you use it as a bench mark as you post your comments.
In part: "...derogatory connotation or stereotype, that refers to a person who passionately pursues intellectual activities, esoteric knowledge, or other obscure interests..."
Thank you.
Re:No, but... (Score:0, Insightful)
..he IS a FASCIST. So was Bush, though Obama floored the gas pedal on the road to total fascism.
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." -- Benito Mussolini
Plus, everyone needs to watch The Obama Deception. [youtube.com]
Re:He is President of the United States (Score:3, Insightful)
When did all of this disrespect for the position of our President start?
When people tried to make the position a king above normal citizens.
When people start to think of Presidents as Emperors or Popes that are above common man, then they start acting like it.
You know what would be really interesting? (Score:0, Insightful)
When a reporter asks Obama a QUESTION. One that's relevant to policy, and doesn't open the door to ambiguous bantering or set up another stump speech, or give Obama another chance to be 'lovable look at me I laugh at myself on date night' Mr. Wonderful.
I just think it would be really interesting to see the POTUS discuss policy in a serious way, without this 'nobody messes with Joe! hyuk hyuk' bullshit or a 'we inherited all this not my fault i dont have to solve it' non-answer (just what the fuck did he do as a senator, anyways?)
I know it's of penultimate importance to the average american, but I don't rate 'coolness' all that high when it comes to rating leadership.
Re:He is President of the United States (Score:2, Insightful)
The POTUS doesn't have power to do much of anything. The position has gained un-Constitutional power President after President. All the Presidents after George Washington have disrespected the position of our President.
Re:Let's first agree on one thing (Score:3, Insightful)
So pursuing intellectual activities are obscure? What a sad state the world is in (by wikipedias definition). I'd better get drunk, watch a ballgame and get in a fight like a other proper human being.
He's a jock (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Now I know the site is broken. (Score:1, Insightful)
Re:Hooray (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:First geek President? (Score:4, Insightful)
And if Jefferson isn't geeky enough for you, there's always Herbert Hoover (degree in geology, worked as a mining engineer, and advocated technocratic solutions). Of course many folks don't like to claim him, for obvious reasons.
Re:You wish (Score:3, Insightful)
Obama is no nerd. (Score:2, Insightful)
Obama is far from being anything resembling a nerd. Positions of power, particularly the presidencies, have been filled by people about as non-nerd as you get. The people here saying Obama is a nerd are like most of Obama supporters--projecting their own identity or hopes and dreams into them because they like the man and want him to be like them. If you've seen some of the almost spooky Obama worship going on, this will not at all surprise you.
Re:He is President of the United States (Score:0, Insightful)
And handing GM to the UAW is any different? Remember the labor unions got out the vote for Obama ads on TV and other pro Obama ads. Obama fired that investigator for doing his job. Why? He was looking into a pro Obama person.
Plus Obama has already out spent Bush. It took Bush 8 years. Obama did it in less the 6 months.
Re:WTFV (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:He's a jock (Score:3, Insightful)