tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20692053.post5982617603916220768..comments2023-11-03T06:35:48.003-05:00Comments on Shark and Shepherd: The War of the RosesRick Esenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280070509167910367noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20692053.post-86801440258926383712008-03-05T08:54:00.000-06:002008-03-05T08:54:00.000-06:00Obama has run a campaign that is able to convey a ...<I>Obama has run a campaign that is able to convey a message that people are hungry for and hasn't been seen in their lifetimes.</I><BR/><BR/>See, that's the part that I have trouble with. What is it? I am admonished not to think that, despite his rhetoric, that it is left wing populism. I am told that it is supposed to be some openness to dialogue with, I suppose, people like me but I see little evidence of that. Why is it divisive to argue for a particular view of morality on, say, abortion and not divisive to say, as Obama just did, that the Sermon on the Mount compels support for domestic unions - a view, incidentally, that arguably violates the maxim of <I>Lex specialis derogat lex generalis</I> although I think it's a plausible argument with respect to the need for tolerance and respect for others, even if it doesn't quite prove what he says it does.Rick Esenberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07280070509167910367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20692053.post-24099512858640456682008-03-05T08:28:00.000-06:002008-03-05T08:28:00.000-06:00I never made a direct comparison between their acc...I never made a direct comparison between their accomplishments, it is impossible. Favre has earned his place among the greatest football players to play the game, Obama has run a campaign that is able to convey a message that people are hungry for and hasn't been seen in their lifetimes. The reaction they have recieved from some people for these achievements can be characterized as "creepy" or "embarrassing".<BR/><BR/>It is not normal for a grown adult to be reduced to tears after learning that their favorite sports entertainer will no longer be throwing an oblong ball on sundays. It is somewhat creepy for people to devote a portion of their house to shrine-like displays of Favre memorabilia. It is very odd to see entire families walking through the grocery store on a Sunday morning with matching #4 jerseys as if they were members of some cult.<BR/><BR/>Rick has articulated what he finds "creepy" or "embarrassing" about Obama supporters. The irrational reactions some have had to these men are similar cultural phenomena.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20692053.post-77828971217279377122008-03-05T05:43:00.000-06:002008-03-05T05:43:00.000-06:00Well said Joe. I second that.Well said Joe. I second that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20692053.post-85712077760503460612008-03-04T21:58:00.000-06:002008-03-04T21:58:00.000-06:00"Mr.Obama, I knew Brett Favre and you sir are no B..."Mr.Obama, I knew Brett Favre and you sir are no Brett Favre."<BR/>Comparing Barack Obama to Brett <BR/>Favre is like comparing Britney Spears to John Lennon.<BR/>Listen to 3rd way.<BR/>He has "yet to see an Obama shrine".<BR/>Then he goes on to say he has "yet to see" a Favre shrine, but he's willing to bet there is one.<BR/>News flash 3rd way. Obama went to College via his color of skin. Brett Favre went because he was a great athlete. Obama was and is a back bencher. Favre sat on the bench one year out of 17.<BR/>Favre embodies the American dream.<BR/>Obama dreams the Socialist embodiment.<BR/>Favre is the all time touchdown pass leader.<BR/>Obama is the all time "change" leader.<BR/>While Obama and his wife are just recently proud of America.<BR/>Brett Favre puts his hand over his heart and sings along with the national anthem.<BR/>Brett Favre is from the South.<BR/>Barack Obama is from the Mouth.<BR/>Obama tells us the we need the government to help us.<BR/>Favre tells us that by individual effort, in a team format, we can do anything.<BR/>This little tome, illustrates the style of Obama with zero accomplishments, vs. the substance of Favre. Favre was not born rich, he grew up in a literal back water of Kiln MS. He went to high school in Pass Christian MS. He never took nor asked for quarter.<BR/>Obama wants change. <BR/>I'm voting for Favre.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20692053.post-31135225928091540712008-03-04T17:03:00.000-06:002008-03-04T17:03:00.000-06:00When he starts to employ pyrotechnics at his speec...<I>When he starts to employ pyrotechnics at his speeches I will start to worry.</I><BR/><BR/>When he starts to employ pyrotechnics at his speeches, Obama will himself have cause to worry as the lawyers step in with very large claims. Might even include John Edwards in their number; he can smell a good tort claim from miles away.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20692053.post-58935280703474130242008-03-04T15:55:00.000-06:002008-03-04T15:55:00.000-06:00Obama has expolited it to a certain extent. I don...Obama has expolited it to a certain extent. I don't think "encouraging" is the right adjective. <BR/><BR/>He is a politician, if he doesn't work every angle he can to gain support he isn't doing his job. When he starts to employ pyrotechnics at his speeches I will start to worry.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20692053.post-64539227656949139092008-03-04T15:43:00.000-06:002008-03-04T15:43:00.000-06:00Yeah, but. Favre doesn't encourage it. And perhap...Yeah, but. Favre doesn't encourage it. And perhaps that's the real test of leadership.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20692053.post-34708936688980807202008-03-04T14:15:00.000-06:002008-03-04T14:15:00.000-06:00No, I don't think Favre has earned the level of ad...No, I don't think Favre has earned the level of adoration he receives. A guy in my office had tears in his eyes this morning when the news broke.<BR/><BR/>All I am saying is that the worship of Obama is an out growth of our culture. There are other examples of it happening to people in ways that are creepier than the reaction Obama has recieved. I have not seen anyone crying with Beatle like adoration at an Obama speech. Hopefully that won't happen, if it does I won't blame it on Obama.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20692053.post-59031276470761046992008-03-04T14:00:00.000-06:002008-03-04T14:00:00.000-06:00Don't you think that Farve's . . . I don't know, e...Don't you think that Farve's . . . I don't know, earned it? I mean, if Obama can point me to something that would make me believe that he's damn near the best in history at something, I'd probably buy in. But last I heard, one of his colleagues couldn't even point to an accomplishment of his in the Illinois legislature when pressed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20692053.post-78764497639261050082008-03-04T13:46:00.000-06:002008-03-04T13:46:00.000-06:00I would like to see Rick dissect the cult of perso...I would like to see Rick dissect the cult of personality swirling around Favre. Favre worship is far creepier than Rick's bete noir.<BR/><BR/>I have yet to see an Obama shrine. I would be willing to bet there will be at least one Favre shrine featured in some local news story in the next week. <BR/><BR/>Obama worship is an extension of our celebrity obsessed culture. Brangelina and Favre have been the focus of the same phenomenon that brought us Obamamania.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20692053.post-48952702818592099212008-03-04T12:40:00.000-06:002008-03-04T12:40:00.000-06:00Brett...nooooooBrett...nooooooAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20692053.post-14620022023161194522008-03-04T09:31:00.000-06:002008-03-04T09:31:00.000-06:00Brett is retiring . . . how can you think about po...Brett is retiring . . . how can you think about politics at a time like this Rick?!?<BR/><BR/>I think the worst part is not the retirement, but that Randy Moss is involved.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com