Obama Books
Ugh. I took a walk in the nice warm sunshine this afternoon. Had some letters to mail, and wanted a passion tea lemonade from Starbucks. I decided that instead of hitting one of the standalone ‘bucks, I’d go to the one in my local Indigo Books. Or Obama Books, as it should be rechristened (methinks “christened” might not be the best word to use, but oh well).
I counted no less than NINE books with either his face or his name on them. And not one of them was in the political section upstairs. The most ironic one was probably “Great Speeches” that had Alfred E. Mulatto’s face on the cover. Not Churchill (we shall fight them on the beaches), not Kennedy (ask not what your country can do for you), not Lincoln (government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth), but Barack put-em-to-sleep Obama. He may be many things: Historical, well dressed, something else I’m sure, but he is not a great orator. Bush you could listen to for the mistakes; like watching F1 for the crashes. Reagan was a passionate speaker. Clinton was emotive and kept the crowd’s attention. But Obama? Most people prefer to read the text of his speeches rather than actually listen to them. I harbor a guess that if he had them read aloud by William Shatner, his Neilsen Ratings would go up considerably.
I shrugged off this amusement and wandered to the business section. I figured I’d be Obama-free down there, since he never really had anything to do with business throughout his “career” as an Official Black Man™ and Community Organizer™. Alas, it was not to be:
Good Lord, is there hope (not to be confused with Hope™) left for America (and Canada, by extension)? Americans are graduating in illiterate droves, unable to string two sentences together that don’t involve the words “like” or “bling”. Now we want them to bore the ass off potential bosses, subordinates, investors and board of directors? Is that really a good idea?
Apparently waving your hands, swinging your nose in the air from side to side and smirking has some sort of submissive effect on these people. I am volatile as is. I do not need to listen to so called “great” speeches. At least with the written I could sit and circle all of the um and uhs if they only put those in.
Comment by Shelby — May 19, 2009 @ 4:59 pm
I think there should be a Great Speeches by TOTUS book — after all, let’s give the credit where it belongs. Actually, I don’t think TOTUS is that great either, but it’s better than listening to Mr. Um-&-Ah ad-lib.
Comment by MooseandSquirrel — May 19, 2009 @ 5:24 pm
I find Obama boring, and cannot for the life of me think of anything that would be a significant defining quote. Nothing wise or intelligent, anyway. You would think there has to be something by now, even so early in his political career, if only because so many people tout how intelligent he is, and what a great speaker.
I did see a book of great speeches with Obama in it. I don’t remember what speech was in it. None come to mind as an obvious choice. It included other peoples’ speeches, but it did not have the interest of Speeches that Changed the World, by Montefiore (with a CD).
Does this “Say it Like Obama” tell us to put in a “let me be clear” every once in a while?
Comment by greyone40 — May 21, 2009 @ 7:36 pm
I used to feel bad about book stores going out of business, but recent excursions have shocked me with the amazing amount of Obama books. What is there to glorify about a man who when the going gets tough, votes present?
Maybe book stores are just trying to make money any way they can as we become a post-literate society, but their fate seems to parallel the downfall of liberal newspapers. If all either one can give us is left wing propaganda, then how great is the loss?
Goodbye to them already.
Comment by Drake8 — May 22, 2009 @ 8:55 am