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So was it okay for Biden,

Now you’re talking about Hunter. Come on. You know no one really cared about Hunter’s crimes. The investigation was about tying criminality to JOE Biden. What are his charges?
And the crime Hunter is accused of here isn't for illegal income or for some sort of bribery related to his father. It's for not paying taxes on that legal income.
 
They brought in Spielberg to help them. He came up with the idea of showing Biden walking in slow motion, to cover up his clearly worrisome gate.
Reminiscent of FDR and not allowing him to be seen in a wheelchair. But the outrage here makes we wonder where we draw the line on image molding for the Presidency.

Curating approved camera angles?
Hair and makeup?
Wardrobe stylist?
Lighting?
Video edits?
Set dressing?
Music?
Speechwriters?

Our perceptions of our leaders are constantly being shaped by teams of people whose job is to present a carefully crafted image. I'm interested in understanding why Spielberg's idea is the place where the line should be drawn.
 
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Reminiscent of FDR and not allowing him to be seen in a wheelchair. But the outrage here makes we wonder where we draw the line on image molding for the Presidency.

Curating approved camera angles?
Hair and makeup?
Wardrobe stylist?
Lighting?
Video edits?
Set dressing?
Music?
Speechwriters?

Our perceptions of our leaders are constantly being shaped by teams of people whose job is to present a carefully crafted image. I'm interested in understanding why Spielberg's idea is the place where the line should be drawn.
There’s a difference in perception of strength and that of brain function. And it’s a different time today. The article linked indicates they could barely get biden to speak properly
 
I just read about Spielberg's consulting.

It seems like he was brought on board first to make recommendations on things like
-stage lighting
-sound engineering / microphones
-makeup & how to adjust to different lighting conditions
-editing suggestions to make campaign video ads less "boring"

All of that is understandable and even normal. Make appearances more appealing / ad some pop.

But then at some point Biden’s communication and physical struggles were not merely about adding some pop but were deeper and spielberg was asked if he could help make them less noticeable. That transition is not normal or acceptable.

 
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Reminiscent of FDR and not allowing him to be seen in a wheelchair. But the outrage here makes we wonder where we draw the line on image molding for the Presidency.

Curating approved camera angles?
Hair and makeup?
Wardrobe stylist?
Lighting?
Video edits?
Set dressing?
Music?
Speechwriters?

Our perceptions of our leaders are constantly being shaped by teams of people whose job is to present a carefully crafted image. I'm interested in understanding why Spielberg's idea is the place where the line should be drawn.
Lots of gray area. Not many bright lines. You're absolutely right that most of what we think we know about our politicians is made-up image. I find the whole thing off putting, and the lack of genuineness a real problem for all candidates. It's why I'm drawn to Fetterman and Bernie Sanders: what I perceive as their authenticity (yes, I know that image spinners can even craft an image of authenticity, but I think I'd like to think I could detect that kind of bullshit).

And where we draw the lines will depend on our own particular values, for sure. For example, imagine candidate X was gay in the 1800s, but an awesome intellect, good demeanor, etc. I wouldn't bat an eye at his campaign covering up his sexual orientation (even though I'd acknowledge it might put him at risk of extortion while in office). Others could reasonably disagree.

But hiding the infirmities of a man in his 80s who has been battling arguments (completely valid ones) that he isn't mentally capable of doing the job? I don't think you can make a reasonable argument that that is not troubling.
 
Lots of gray area. Not many bright lines. You're absolutely right that most of what we think we know about our politicians is made-up image. I find the whole thing off putting, and the lack of genuineness a real problem for all candidates. It's why I'm drawn to Fetterman and Bernie Sanders: what I perceive as their authenticity (yes, I know that image spinners can even craft an image of authenticity, but I think I'd like to think I could detect that kind of bullshit).

And where we draw the lines will depend on our own particular values, for sure. For example, imagine candidate X was gay in the 1800s, but an awesome intellect, good demeanor, etc. I wouldn't bat an eye at his campaign covering up his sexual orientation (even though I'd acknowledge it might put him at risk of extortion while in office). Others could reasonably disagree.

But hiding the infirmities of a man in his 80s who has been battling arguments (completely valid ones) that he isn't mentally capable of doing the job? I don't think you can make a reasonable argument that that is not troubling.
Appreciate your post and your perspective. I used to think that I was above being manipulated by image crafters since I've done that sort of crafting and was certain that I could spot the bullshit, but I'm now pretty certain that almost no one has those powers in totality. IMHO, there is a ton of image crafting going on with Bernie and Fetterman, too.

Everything I've seen says that Biden's gait stemmed from back and nerve issues which have nothing to do with whether he was mentally capable of doing the job. I know our mileage varies on this, but I don't think that image crafting Biden's gait is any more egregious than a speechwriter putting eloquent words in a President's mouth or managing camera angles and lighting so that the President (or candidate) looks strong and "Presidential". Entering a rally to just the right classic rock track? More of the same to me.
 
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Appreciate your post and your perspective. I used to think that I was above being manipulated by image crafters since I've done that sort of crafting and was certain that I could spot the bullshit, but I'm now pretty certain that almost no one has those powers in totality. IMHO, there is a ton of image crafting going on with Bernie and Fetterman, too.

Everything I've seen says that Biden's gait stemmed from back and nerve issues which have nothing to do with whether he was mentally capable of doing the job. I know our mileage varies on this, but I don't think that image crafting Biden's gait is any more egregious than a speechwriter putting eloquent words in a President's mouth or managing camera angles and lighting so that the President (or candidate) looks strong and "Presidential". Entering a rally to just the right classic rock track? More of the same to me.
It all sucks.

Damn you Hollywood types!
 
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It all sucks.

Damn you Hollywood types!
They’re clueless people. I’ve given @hoosboot no less than a dozen can’t miss projects. Hoos’ great great grandkids would have FU money to splurge on their great great grandkids.

But who am I to judge. Was listening to Jon hamm on the radio this morning. He was waiting tables at cardwells same time I was sitting on their patio. Both kids. He went to Hollywood I went to grad school and signed a four figure professional soccer contract. So Fing stupid. Why didn’t I have the sense to go to Hollywood
 
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One thing I appreciate about your post was that said God and not God. When I write my sermons God always gets capitalized so God,Jesus, Holy Spirit, and even pronouns when referring to anyone of the Trinity gets capitalized too. It is my way of honoring them
That’s standard writing practice not exclusive to clergy.
 
They’re clueless people. I’ve given @hoosboot no less than a dozen can’t miss projects. Hoos’ great great grandkids would have FU money to splurge on their great great grandkids.

But who am I to judge. Was listening to Jon hamm on the radio this morning. He was waiting tables at cardwells same time I was sitting on their patio. Both kids. He went to Hollywood I went to grad school and signed a four figure professional soccer contract. So Fing stupid. Why didn’t I have the sense to go to Hollywood
Because you don't look like Jon Hamm?
 
But hiding the infirmities of a man in his 80s who has been battling arguments (completely valid ones) that he isn't mentally capable of doing the job? I don't think you can make a reasonable argument that that is not troubling.
Good post, but I wish people would quit assigning Biden’s severe mental and physical limitations to age. Normal aging does not cause what Biden has. He is demented to the extent he is obviosly mentally disabled.

And I don’t put a lot of stock in his physical limitations either. I haven’t criticized him for that, they all hit home. Stick with his inability to speak, hear, or form a coherent thought.
 
I'd say that the Jake Tappers of the world were just very uncurious. I wouldn't call it a "coverup" -- more of a "look-away."

Former NYT editor Jill Abramson summed it up pretty well:

But I do think if enough reporters had pushed, the story was reportable. I worry that too many journalists didn’t try to get the story because they did not want to be accused of helping elect Donald Trump. I get that.​
But this is no excuse for abandoning our first duty, which is to report the truth and hold power accountable.​
I do not think this had any bearing on the outcome of the election. But Abramson is essentially conceding what many of us have said for a long time: that most of mainstream media is effectively a mouthpiece for Democrats. Of course they were afraid -- not just of potentially hurting Biden, but of "being accused of helping Trump."

Accused by whom? Well, their colleagues and peers, of course.
Tapper works for CNN. CNN caters directly to an audience that is a more moderate version of the MSNBC audience. CNN's audience has an appetite for good news about Biden so that is what they were served.

These aren't Journalists, they are entertainers.
 
Tapper's main theme was that it was known among the Biden staff and Dem politicos, but that no one was willing to talk about it to the press -- even off the record or on background -- until after it was too late
But we all watched it in real time.
 
It's a step in the right direction for him. But the rubber won't really meet the road until they confront the most important question: "Why?"

I think Jill Abramson's explanation makes sense. Would they have been more inquisitive had Biden's opponent been, say, Mitt Romney? Maybe. All we can do is speculate about that.

But my feeling is that they're more like Fox News (etal) are with Republicans than any of them would ever admit. They're not going to do much, if anything, to hurt their own team or to help the other team.
I think the coverup is also throwing shade at Kamala. Had there been a competent VP Biden would have been 25th’ed.
 
Bullshit. I know what I was talking about, what we were talking about, and why.

I’m not defending Biden, I’m attacking clownish behavior and lies. 86 that.
This happens every time. You don't have a comeback after being called on your statements, so you say something like 'moving the goal line' so you can kill the discussion.
 
Lots of gray area. Not many bright lines. You're absolutely right that most of what we think we know about our politicians is made-up image. I find the whole thing off putting, and the lack of genuineness a real problem for all candidates. It's why I'm drawn to Fetterman and Bernie Sanders: what I perceive as their authenticity (yes, I know that image spinners can even craft an image of authenticity, but I think I'd like to think I could detect that kind of bullshit).

And where we draw the lines will depend on our own particular values, for sure. For example, imagine candidate X was gay in the 1800s, but an awesome intellect, good demeanor, etc. I wouldn't bat an eye at his campaign covering up his sexual orientation (even though I'd acknowledge it might put him at risk of extortion while in office). Others could reasonably disagree.

But hiding the infirmities of a man in his 80s who has been battling arguments (completely valid ones) that he isn't mentally capable of doing the job? I don't think you can make a reasonable argument that that is not troubling.
And, when pointed out at the time, the critics were ridiculed. And now those same ridiculers are saying "Well, we were duped". No you weren't - you put your political preferences ahead of the country.
 
This happens every time. You don't have a comeback after being called on your statements, so you say something like 'moving the goal line' so you can kill the discussion.
No it doesn’t. You constantly move the goalposts. It’s your thing.
 
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I think the coverup is also throwing shade at Kamala. Had there been a competent VP Biden would have been 25th’ed.
I think they probably threatened to 25th him to get him to drop out. I am sure he wanted to finish the term and being 25th'ed is not really how you want to go out. Maybe it was the debate is your last chance since he was losing and if you do not turn it around you are out. Who knows what really happened.
 
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I think they probably threatened to 25th him to get him to drop out. I am sure he wanted to finish the term and being 25th'ed is not really how you want to go out. Maybe it was the debate is your last chance since he was losing and if you do not turn it around you are out. Who knows what really happened.
 
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