Did You Wonder Why They Were There?
As you watched the 2013 Oscars presentation, and First Lady Michelle Obama appeared to present the award for Best Picture, did you notice the fine young men and women from the military services who stood behind her during her short live remarks and presentation?
Did you anticipate acknowledgement of their service? Did you wonder how the White House and Hollywood were planning to include, incorporate, or honor those young people resplendent in their parade dresss uniforms?
So did I.
Now I know the Obamas receive a lot of criticism from those who do not agree with them politically, socially, economically, etc. Some of the criticism is silly and over-the-top; some of it is valid as well.
But it's performances like last night that get people talking about the Obamas, their priorities and values.
As Michelle appeared live from Washington, D.C. to the Hollywood elite, many of whom contributed significantly to the president's re-election, she spoke about overcoming obstacles, courage, the importance of art to young people, and "that vitally important work" being done in Hollywood ...
Seriously ... Their "vitally important work" ...
(View the entire segment here.)
But never once was the presence of those young people in uniform acknowledged, their service recognized.
It appeared that those courageous young people in their sharp, well-appointed dress uniforms were there simply as drapery.
Did you notice?
What's wrong with that picture?
Leigh
7:43 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
I wondered at her being there.
Michele
8:00 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Yeah, because the First Lady has done nothing to support the military and thier families, right?
Mike Shortall
9:28 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Which kind of makes all the odder that she didn't even mention them.
Dolores Umbridge
9:04 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Are you really that dense or will you just find any reason to criticize one of the Obamas (either will do just fine)? Three of the nominated films had American Military themes or undertones. The one that happened to win, Argo, was about saving American hostages. It's been well reported in the media that she/her staff, knew who would win and that's why the Academy asked her to present. They were trying to support the arts and be patriotic. There's NOTHING wrong with that picture, much as you would like there to be.
Mike Shortall
9:25 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
There was definitely something wrong with that picture, Dolores. How much effort or time would it have taken to acknowledge them or their service? So many public events make it a point to mention and draw attention to those service memebers who are present. We do it all the time.
Why was Sunday night different?
And we're supposed to buy that it was enough that Hollywood and Mrs. Obama were honoring films with "military themes"? Really?
I guess it was supposed to be enough of an "honor" that they were in the same room as Michelle on a video feed introduced by Jack Nicholson.
Hmmmm ...
Dolores Umbridge
9:53 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Again, you'll find any reason to run down either of the Obamas so I'm sure no explanation, had you sought one instead of just whining to the local news site, would suffice. If you actually researched this, instead of just making up reasons to complain, you'd know that the Obamas were hosting the Governors Ball that night, a black tie dinner for all US Governors. That's why the service members were present but I'm sure you'll find some reason to complain about that also.
Mike Shortall
10:15 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Then why weren't the Governors part of the presentation? No, the service members were included to garner political points without actually recognizing their service, all the while praising Hollywood for their "vitally important work".
Please ...
Dolores Umbridge
10:22 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Mike-They're adults and service members and they chose to be included and judging by the smiles on their faces, they felt happy about it at the very least. YOU are denigrating them by this line of commentary and it's childish and petty. You're doing THEM a disservice.
Mike Shortall
10:28 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Nice try, Dolores.
Dolores Umbridge
10:35 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Oh what Mike - did the conservative script you're repeating not have an answer for that one?
Mike Shortall
10:49 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
You've been watching too much MSNBC.
Nick
10:05 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
I have to agree with Dolores here Mike. You are just looking for a reason to take a swipe at the Obamas. If, as you claim, there are legitimate reasons to criticize the President then stick to those.
This "outrage" from the right here is just typical of their childish view of America and life in general. There mere presence American soldiers was an acknowledgement of their great service. She doesn't need to slap pom poms on and do a cheer.
Mike Shortall
10:13 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
You're right, Nick. She didn't have to slap on pom-poms and cheer; all she had to do was acknowledge their presence.
Jeff Lugar
11:23 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Seriously, the problem is we've allowed ourselves to be brainwashed into thinking that every time a member of the armed forces appears on our TV screen that it requires an acknowledgement of some sort. Everyone appreciates what they do, but enough ready.
Mike Shortall
11:47 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
My only comment to that, Jeff, is my opinion that if you're going to use them as a planned component of the visual, such as The White House wanted to project on Sunday, then you should at the very least mention them.
I think the least cynical among us would recognize using them as a political message as opposed to a form of expressed gratitude. A few spoken words and the First Lady would have dispelled any other interpretation.
Ken
3:16 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
They were wearing their dress blues. I see representatives of the Marines, Army & Air Force. Mike, it was likely an MWR event, (that's Morale, Welfare & Recreation) - likely a few requests went down the chain of command, and young deserving service men & women were offered a chance to appear with the First Lady.
Window dressing, sure - but it is the White House, and it was the oscars.
Mike Shortall
4:57 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
One of the above posters stated that there was a Governor's event at TWH Sunday night. So I doubt it was a MWR event. I know they use military in dress blues as escorts and honor guard during formal dinners. Perhaps that was why they were there.
I don't have problem with them being there or enjoying the experience. I simply thought it a bit over-staged to have them milling around in the background while ignoring them in the prepared remarks and Hollywood hooha.
Tommybella
9:13 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
It just goes to show how smoke and mirrors the Obamas are.
Marko3
1:34 am on Thursday, February 28, 2013
Mike.. Get over yourself.
Mike Shortall
9:44 am on Thursday, February 28, 2013
Gee, thanks for the "insight".
Jane
9:25 am on Thursday, February 28, 2013
I think Mike and others put the President and First Lady in a 'damned if they do, damned if they don't' position. My sense is that if she HAD spoken a few words about them, she would be accused of political maneuvering or some other perceived harm. This is the silliest non-issue.
Mike Shortall
9:42 am on Thursday, February 28, 2013
Jane, my reaction was almost immediate Sunday night as I was waiting to see how the First Lady would work those young people into her Hollywood tribute. When that didn't happen, when absolutely no acknowledgement was made I expressed my bewilderment.
To assume I would have trapped her either way is simply speculation, inaccurate at that, and quite frankly, beside the point.
Jane
9:47 am on Thursday, February 28, 2013
Such an "immediate" reaction strikes me as emotional - dislike of the President and his family - rather than a reasoned, considered or logical analysis. That is, a knee jerk reaction. It underscores my initial speculation - which indeed it is, as I don't have the displeasure of knowing you - about your inappropriate motivations.
Mike Shortall
10:29 am on Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wow, Jane ... So much for the free exchange of opinions, observations, and criticisms of our national leaders, eh?
So how exactly do the words "I don't have the displeasure of knowing you" fit in with "reasoned, considered, and logical analysis"? Guess that wasn't a "knee jerk", huh?
Maybe next time, you'll get your way.
Jane
10:31 am on Thursday, February 28, 2013
You are free to criticize - just as I am free to exchange my opinions, observations and my own criticisms about the value or the source of your opinions. Free exchange of ideas applies to me, too, buddyo.
Mike Shortall
10:58 am on Thursday, February 28, 2013
Yeah ... You just make it personal.
Michael Hicks
10:40 am on Thursday, February 28, 2013
Perhaps her script didn't include acknowlegement. While it would have been "nice," I think it's hardly diabolical.
If you think any political "points" were gained for having color present during her 2 minute exercise, how could anyone tell? I'll personally guarantee that anyone who was on the fence about their opinion of Obama is still there today, regardless of what they saw at the Academy Awards. Anyone who supported him still does and anyone who doesn't, still doesn't.
No need to work yourself up over something so trivial.
Mike Shortall
4:13 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013
I fail to see where I was "worked up" or suggesting it was "diabolical". I think, as Jane illustrates quite nicely, that it have been those who don't agree with my making the observation are the ones getting worked up.
As you mentioned, I think it would have been "nice" to acknowledge their presence as a minimum, given the obvious intent of having them in the picture as background.
EP
9:48 am on Saturday, March 2, 2013
Laura Bush appeared at the 2002 Oscars, so perhaps it's something First Ladies do?
Mike Shortall
4:11 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013
If this was directed at me ... I did not have a problem with The First Lady actually doing the presentation, aside from the fact that she called Hollywood's work "vitally important ..."
I only cared about the military slight.
Adrian Seltzer
12:07 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
You do realize that presenters are under time restraints too. The fact that they were there at all says something positive.
Mike Shortall
4:15 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
And how much of The First Lady's allotted time did it take to laud the "vitally important work" done in Hollywood?
The military personnel there had been on duty for most of that night at a White House dinner for attendees at the Governor's Conference. I get that it was an honor to be at The White House. I simply question what was the point of them being quite obviously included as background to Michelle Obama;s presentation without a nod, a gesture, or a kind word for their service.
But at least we got a shout out for Hollywood's "vitally important work", which probably took all of 5 seconds to utter!