Rhetoric does matter, as it shapes the national discourse. It shapes whether The People will be actively behind the President’s agenda. Obama apparently used “together” seven times in his speech, mentioned Stonewall, and talked about the future more than he did fluffy, superficial and overly general history. He spoke of the possibilities of what we could do, but also urged necessary action.
He is inspiring. I love my president!
And I truly believe that this is the return to the Obama that rose to fame. Although I didn’t initially support him at that time, and supported Hillary, I look back on his speeches, and his passion when he spoke those words. Perhaps the past four years, however, he was not exactly that same ‘self,’ but I also think that was the result of politics. He is Mr. Smith—he came to Washington to effect change. But he is more cunning than Mr. Smith, with the political savvy to understand he’d not be able to show his true self, in order to preserve his longevity in office; be ABLE to serve a second term.
Here’s to hoping my observations are true and he will be bolder this term around.
I have a theory on why “Thrift Shop” debuted on KROQ, when likely, it should’ve been another station? Maybe?
I’ve been noticing that songs are more and more one-size-fits-all mainstream…but they roll out in phases. In the past year or two, the huge songs debut on KROQ, and then slowly start taking other stations. Maybe it’s because the rock genre is becoming popular, but it may also be because of audience targeting?
It seems to me that KROQ and rock listeners in general are more stubborn and selective in what music they listen to. They’re also quick to judge and cast away songs by artists they *think* they don’t like. KIIS listeners are less discerning, I guess. So by releasing a song first to the KROQ listeners, it accommodates their ego; by the time the song trickles down to the more “mainstream” (so to speak) stations, and it gets HUGE, die-hard and judgmental rock listeners can “I was listening to that before it got all big.” They can feel like they’ve made a discovery.
Either that, OR, the ultimate effect of these rocks songs getting big reinforces the segregation of music listeners, where the rock listeners may feel superior in their exceptional music tastes.
Perhaps this is too conspiratorial of me. :-P But it was fun to think about. I am way too analytical. But hey, better to use than lose brain power!
– Neil deGrasse Tyson (via fortyandtwo)
– LBJ
Tell me how four-year old Billy knew that?
Oh, kids these days. =)
Yah.
There’s MUCH MORE where this came from! Jessica Hlavac is the talented chef.
Ok, even if you’re NOT an L.A. native, you’ve probably heard of Pink’s?
Here’s Pink’s…for ants!!! ;-) Zoolander reference…
And if you ARE an L.A. native, it will be super-fun to check out these miniatures of landmarks you might recognize! Personally, The Trails is my favorite! It’s a tiny little eatery at the foothill of Griffith Park, and they serve AMAZINGLY FRESH and yummy food. Had it the afternoon of my graduation. Highly recommend the avocado sandwich. =) And blue-corn bread!
LOVE the representational integrity of these figures. Amazing.
