dagblog - Comments for "Optical Illusions"

You have a point, there. I

barefooted — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 20:50:50 +0000

You have a point, there. I was a bit uncomfortable when he spoke briefly about MH17 before beginning his scheduled infrastructure remarks in Delaware. It seemed ... minimal, and out of place. But what were the options? Say nothing? Cancel a speech about an important subject? It was far too early for him to say anything more than he did at that moment - but he caught hell because the optics were bad. Well, at least we had McCain to watch as he spouted his usual hawk-bile at the first camera he saw.

I agree, Barefooted, that

CVille Dem — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 17:26:58 +0000

In reply to Optical Illusions

I agree, Barefooted, that "optics" are way overblown. Even with this example of visiting the border, I have no doubt that the TeaBaggers would have immediately complained that resources were wasted on security for the Prez rather than going to the border guards who needed it more. It would have been played up as nothing more than a distraction, and probably showboating. Look at what happened when a local cop kept a woman IN EARLY LABOR (she still had not delivered a day later) from crossing the President's motorcade path! They managed to blame it on President Obama, who had no idea of the situation. What childish pricks they are!

He's damned if he does and he's damned if he doesn't, so he may as well go ahead and do what he thinks is best.

Not always. Visuals play a

barefooted — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 18:53:29 +0000

In reply to that makes it a dog-and-pony

Not always. Visuals play a role in expression, and can be a useful part of a larger narrative. But when what something looks like is given an inordinate amount of weight in deciding the merits of an issue, then there's a problem.

that makes it a dog-and-pony

Beetlejuice — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 17:57:44 +0000

In reply to I suppose it's fair to say

that makes it a dog-and-pony show ... no substance ... but I see your point ... being seen creates a fictional impression something is being done even though the appearance was nothing more than a face showing exercise for the public.

When Cruz and company "joined

barefooted — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 02:22:29 +0000

In reply to So very true.

When Cruz and company "joined" the protesters at the WWII memorial, it was ludicrous. But it fed the base, so even though they were widely panned the optics paid off.

I suppose it's fair to say

barefooted — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 02:15:22 +0000

In reply to Show-and-tell or dog-and-pony

I suppose it's fair to say that if Obama had gone to the border while so close, it would have done a great deal for his approval ratings. That's the thing about optics - they can be a double edged sword.

Show-and-tell or dog-and-pony

Beetlejuice — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 01:35:21 +0000

In reply to Optical Illusions

Show-and-tell or dog-and-pony-show ... it's all the same thing ... touchy-feely and warm-fuzzys.

I suspect the "optics" win simply because no one cares for cold hard facts, substance and effort ... they have no substance in the visible spectrum. Their attributes are ethereal and are easily molded into shape and form as necessity dictates many times contrary to their original purpose and intent.

It's the observer who must decide if they should believe their lying eyes.

So very true.

trkingmomoe — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 23:11:11 +0000

In reply to Optical Illusions

So very true.

What gets to me is to watch people in office lie to the public in order to spin their ideology. Some of these guys can't be as stupid as they sound. They would not have been able to get into law school. They do it for the optics. No one in the media ever calls them on it.