Again with the Golf
“The president didn’t know the NSA was spying on world leaders, but he’s found time for at least 146 rounds of golf.”—the subtitle of a “column” in the WSJ (which is only one of two original sentences in the piece, which is just a series of quotes from news stories).
The issue of the national security/surveillance state that we have created, not to mention the serious problems with the ACA rollout, are worthy of a great deal of discussion. A reference to golf, a goofy photo (copied below), and a string of quotes, does not constitute “discussion.” This is just another example of the tumble from seriousness of the WSJ editorial page.
To repeat a thought that has occurred here at OTB from, I think, all of the main authors: it was silly to make fun of President Bush and his trips to his ranch and it is silly to focus on Obama’s golf (indeed, I would be more than happy to never see a story about presidential vacations/relaxation ever again). Worse, this is not even analysis or an argument; it is innuendo. Beyond even that, it is lazy. If a student turned in an essay made up of quotations and pretended like they summed to an argument, they would get a failing grade. I expect more from the editorial pages of a major newspaper (although perhaps I shouldn’t).
1) Weren’t there the same stupid discussions about Reagan in Santa Barbara and Nixon in San Clemente?
2) It is arguable that Bush43 gave the genre a major leg up when he ignored warnings about 9/11 and went back to cutting brush…while at his ranch.
3) Golf is a stupid game f’ing anyway. Mark Twain was right.
4) Yes…you are correct…this type of faux analysis and discussion is dumb. So most likely it will continue to flourish.
Yesterday, the same WSJ posted a piece in its “The Experts” section by fluoridation and cancer treatment skeptic Susanne Somers entitled “The Affordable Care Act Is a Socialist Ponzi Scheme.”
So the WSJ is now essentially the New York Post.
A once reputable outlet, thoroughly Murdoch-ified.
I can only think that the golf meme picked up credit when Bush 43 decided to quit golf just for this reason. Wups, I just checked: He supports the current President’s golf habits: “I know what it’s like to be in the bubble. And I know the pressures of the job. And to be able to get outside and play golf with some of your pals is important for the president,” [Bush] said. “It does give you an outlet.”
So, play on, Barack!
From the WSJ? You really shouldn’t. They’re the kind of lazy hacks that hacks like David Brooks calls hacks on.
@ Rick…
A take-down of the Suzanne Somers WSJ Op-Ed.
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/10/suzanne-somerss-strong-wsj-obamacare-critique.html
I always liked Joyce DeWitt better.
Just for the record, I never made fun of Bush’s trips to his ranch, and never, never complained about his ‘vacations’ or their ‘length’. (Presidents don’t get ‘vacations’)
I did however make great fun of the idea that Bush had a ‘ranch’ or that all that ‘brush clearing’ he did was anything other than pimping for the cameras..
@OzarkHillbilly:
And as a mountain biker, I certainly made fun of his “don’t pass” rule. That is, in group and invitational rides at the ranch, no one was allowed to be faster than the Pres.
Incredibly insecure, but also prevented him from seeing some great riding.
As an off-and-on reader of the WSJ editorial pages for the past decade, my observation is that they really didn’t have that far to tumble.
@this:
So downvoter, when did you give up “but only if I win” conditions on games and sport?
For most kids I think it’s about age 7.
@Rick Almeida: God, if there was ever an exemplar for a blonde bimbo, it’s Somers…..
Yes, dearie–try fixing your ovarian cancer by drinking wheat juice and having chelation thereapy. I think we’ll classify that under a Darwin Award….
Optics people. Americans are scared, angry and confused about the failure of Hope and Change. They need reassurance from Obama and him playing folf while Rome burns is not reassuring. ThatIis why Bush gave up golf after the Iraq Invasion.
Worse than the golf however are the lies. MSNBC offers a repoer that vindicates Congressman Joe “You Lied” Wilson. They report that Obama knew all along that millions would nor be able to keep thier current insurance.
But you folks go right ahead and continue to defend the indefensible. We’ll see how you like this sort of behavior when a Republican is back in the Whiye House.
@KK:
(fixed that for you)
Empty threat, as the only Republican likely to make it to the White House would have no chance of getting through the primaries. Conservatives are destined to remain “scared, angry and confused” for quite some time I suspect. (even if a “RINO” was to somehow get elected President in ’16 or ’20)
@Stephen L. Taylor:
This is the WSJ, I used to expect minimally more, then they were purchased by Murdoch – I’ve since lowered my expectations from zero to a negative number.
It’s confirmed – Obama doesn’t know jack shit about anything.
@bandit:
It’s confirmed, you hate golf.
@al-Ameda:
We’re being haunted by Gerry Ford?
“The posts are coming from inside the blog!“
i actually have no issue with him golfing away, he causes less damage while out on the links.