Pres Obama's comments on the PSU scandal are why he needs a drama coach!

[RiverStone]

The shocking developments at Penn State have been maddening and tragic, for so many reasons we agree upon. An institution protecting a pedophile in the name of college football is a moral outrage.

Yesterday, President Obama spoke in Hawaii - reflecting on his feelings about all this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_ls_ssHTOo

While on balance I agree with his comments, the cerebral and business-like delivery lacked an emotional punch that so many of us feel. I think this is one reason his approval ratings continue to hover around 46%. I know, it's totally superficial - yet seeing more fire (lots more) would serve him well.

There was no need for President Obama to give a measured or pondering response, rather something like - "It's horrible! I can't fathom the series of events that lead to the (allegations) of children being repeatedly sexually assaulted, and a university covering it up! Said with e-m-o-t-i-o-n and anger!!!

He should have responded much like you or I would have. Unequivocally angry!

...My 2 cents (and I'm not a drama coach).

[WI_DEM]

1. well if he's at 46% then his approval rating is going up as it has in several polls.

As far as his being more melodramatic I don't think that is necessary.

[RiverStone]

4. I don't think it's more melodramatic --- I just think it's more real n/t

[Avalux]

2. Hmmm. I don't agree with you.

I don't want Obama to sound like a Fox News pundit. I'm a PSU alumna and while this has really hit home for me, when discussing with co-workers, or if I were to discuss in public, I'm not emotional about it. Don't agree.

[RiverStone]

8. A preference in this case is subjective

It could be my 20 years in education seeing many kids come from abusive situations, or could be just me. I would have preferred an angrier reaction from President Obama. Not irrational, not frothing at the mouth rage, just plain old angry.

[pnwmom]

37. Shouldn't the President of the United States, of all people,

exercise the principle of "innocent until proven guilty"?

[RiverStone]

43. Sandusky charged with 40 counts!

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_765791.html

Technically pnwmom, of course you are correct on presumed innocence. Yet every once in a while, the court of public opinion suggests the opposite - even though the law of the land eventually hopes justice will be served.

Did you hear Sandusky's interview yesterday? Did you know the judge that set Sandusky free on bail worked on his charity? There is plenty to be angry about, even not knowing the final verdict.

Regardless, I think showing more anger earns Obama more political capital. Even a point or two could make a big difference in swing states next year. It could be a winning strategy. And ya know, politics is part theater already.

[pnwmom]

49. I do think Sandusky's guilty. But I first thought Amanda Knox was guilty.

It's easy to get caught up in witch-hunts, especially when the crime is so horrible.

[RiverStone]

55. From Sandusky himself...

http://www.denverpost.com/popular/ci_19338699?source=pop_neighbors_colorado

I have horsed around with kids. I have showered after workouts. I have hugged them, and I have touched their legs without intent of sexual contact." Sandusky is accused of sexually assaulting eight boys over a 15-year span, with some of the alleged crimes happening at Penn State, where he had access to campus as an emeritus professor following his 1999 retirement as Paterno's top defensive assistant.

Asked whether he was sexually attracted to underage boys, he said "sexually attracted, no. I enjoy young people, I love to be around them, but, no, I'm not sexually attracted to young boys." Asked if there was anything he had done wrong, Sandusky said, "I shouldn't have showered with those kids." When pressed about how two people could claim to have witnessed Sandusky engaged in sexual contact with boys on two different occasions, Sandusky replied that "you'd have to ask" them.

****

Damn. Guess I would not be an impartial juror.

[pnwmom]

58. I won't be surprised if he takes some kind of plea.

Imagine being his attorney?

[sad sally]

61. The man is 67 years old. It's kind of hard to believe that at age 52

he started "loving to be around them." Studies of pedophilia (and tendencies of it) show the disorder develops and manifests during teenage years. Did he spend years hiding his predatory behavior or did he have some life-changing event at age 52 and then start this interest in young boys? Many men help young boys and like to be around them without showering with them and touching them - those things alone are deviant behavior that can't be overlooked as being innocent.

I'm with you - I could not be impartial.

[ellisonz]

3. Melodrama is feckless.

:evilgrin:

[MineralMan]

5. Presidents tread lightly when criminal charges are the issue.

They must do that. Nobody has been convicted of anything, and the President must avoid any hint of guilt or innocence. That is the reason for the way his statement was made. So far, there is a Grand Jury report and an arrest, and that is all. There has been no trial. Guilt will be decided in a court in Pennsylvania.

Don't expect any President to declare any hint of guilt or innocence.

[tblue]

15. No, remember? He said Bradley Manning was guilty.

"He broke the law." is the quote.

[Myrina]

6. He does come off as the Iceman in most cases ....

... brilliant, yes ... emotionless, yes too.

I'd like a leader who acts like he gives a shit even when he's not giving a stump speech.

[tblue]

24. If it's not there it's not there

if you know what I mean. The reason he doesn't sound upset by it is because he's not.

[DevonRex]

28. You really think he isn't upset by this? Wow.

[tblue]

41. He's upset? Wow.

Who knew?

[Number23]

63. "The reason he doesn't sound upset by it is because he's not."

How in God's name would you know whether this upsets the president or now? What an idiotic and pointless comment.

[treestar]

29. What difference does that make?

I'd rather a President knew what he was doing.

[tblue]

40. Ooops. Wrong place. nt

[pnwmom]

36. Not to me. Maybe it's a cultural thing. Like the Perugians

didn't think Amanda Knox showed the appropriate emotion.

Extroverts tend to expect everyone to emote the same way they do -- or, they think, something's wrong. Introverts know that people can "give a shit" without raising their voices or throwing punches.

[Skittles]

7. I think he did fine

[pnwmom]

9. There's this little principle called "innocent till proven guilty."

Maybe this Constitutional scholar actually believes in it. It's fine for people like us to rant and rave about how horrible all this is -- because it is, if it's true. But until there's been a trial and a verdict, the President shouldn't be making a judgment.

Should he?

[tblue]

42. Two words: Bradley Manning. nt

[pnwmom]

53. As far as I know Obama hasn't proclaimed his guilt either, has he? n/t

[evrstrong]

10. His use of the word...

"folks" just absolutely infuriates me!

It trivializes the seriousness of the matter, and implies kinship with the perpetrators.

[pnwmom]

11. Alleged perpetrators.

It's easy for us to forget that, but Obama is probably being more careful.

[evrstrong]

14. If you lived here in "Happy Valley" like I do, you would

have no problem using the word perpetrator, because our community as a whole has been harmed and is feeling the blows.

:-(

[pnwmom]

17. I know people who live there. I'm very sorry about what you're going through,

but this is why we need a justice system.

Vigilante justice isn't justice.

[evrstrong]

25. Thank you...but

in the case of people responsible for the health and welfare of children, heads had to roll....even the beloved Joe Pa.

For me, the sadness is for the young boys and men.

[pnwmom]

31. I agree with Paterno being fired. That decision was the Board's to make,

and they made the correct decision, IMHO -- he might have followed the letter of the law , but the Board can and should expect more from Paterno and the administrators. Whether or not assault on a child can be proven, these men failed to protect children who were clearly at risk.

But this is a separate issue from the legal determination of Sandusky's guilt. He is still innocent until proven guilty. So far all we have is the Grand Jury's report, and lots of terrible rumors.

I'm not a football fan, and so I'm no fan or Paterno or any other coach. Of course I'm terribly sad about the children.

But I am a "fan" of the justice system. It's not perfect, but it's better than the alternative. Watching the recent witch-hunt in Perugia, Italy was a good reminder of that.

[Bunny]

12. Drama coach? Hell, he should be leading the way, with torches and pitchforks.

Anything less seems like he condones what happened at PSU.

[DevonRex]

16. "Anything less seems like he condones what happened at PSU. " Seriously?

[Bunny]

18. Of course!

That's the DU way, isn't it?

[DevonRex]

20. Ah, sarcasm. Whew.

:hi:

[pnwmom]

19. I hope you're being sarcastic.

Because I think Obama's measured reaction means he believes in the Justice system to determine guilt -- not a witch hunt, no matter how terrible the crime.

[Skidmore]

21. Really?

[Proud Liberal Dem]

13. "We want (need?) a President who entertains us, damnit!!!!"

:eyes:

[tblue]

44. No. We just want this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKMb7NeVaMQ

[DevonRex]

22. I'm always glad he remains calm when addressing highly charged events.

There is nothing good that would result from adding gasoline to the fire.

[pnwmom]

33. Me, too. We need an adult in the room. n/t

[tblue]

45. A human adult. n/t

[pnwmom]

51. Introverts are just as human as extroverts.

Not everyone processes things or behaves the same way.

Though some extroverts like to think they naturally set the only correct standard of human behavior.

[tblue]

56. I know. But there's just this intangible thing that must be missing.

Maybe it's what they call 'emotional intelligence.' You can be brilliant beyond description and still not relate to other people. Think 'stereotypical engineer.' Right? He could write perfect computer code but he won't win your heart.

That's what people keep indicating they miss. And if it's not there, it's not there. So I have come not to expect it. He can only be who he is, but the same goes for the rest of us. We can't help it if we want that intangible ingredient that makes leadership just feel right. Just because it's not there doesn't mean it is negligible.

[RiverStone]

57. Well said tblue!

Add that "intangible ingredient" to Obama and his political capital instantly increases.

Of course, we all know we can't change anybody --- but with a little practice...

I'm sure people on DU are aware that presidential candidates go through mock debate rehearsals with stand-ins for the opponent. Nothing wrong with Obama adding some of that intangible stuff! :hi:

[pnwmom]

60. Here is a difference between us. An engineer did win my heart.

And has kept it and loved it for decades. Another engineer won my daughter's heart.

:loveya:

Engineers offer intangibles, too -- like loyalty, for instance, and quiet thoughtfulness -- that extroverts might be too busy emoting to notice.

[FirstLight]

23. he sopke on THIS, but not the OWS crackdowns?

something smells

[KoKo]

30. Maybe he wasn't asked about OWS?

:shrug:

[Morning Dew]

26. Manson Guilty, Nixon Declares.

Better to tread a little lightly, IMO.

[treestar]

27. President, not Actor

A President is not our Parent, Coach, Leader, Chief.

Gawd, you'd think this was not America.

[woodsprite]

32. Wonder how Biden would have delivered his comments. n/t

[alcibiades_mystery]

34. We have plenty of lynch mob leaders on the internets

We don't need another one in the White House.

[Whisp]

35. thats not his nature nor style.

when have you seen him 'unequivocally angry'?

would be strange indeed if he came way out of character, just to please some drama coaches on the net.

[RiverStone]

39. What if a slight "style" adjustment got him an extra point or two in 2012?

I agree it's not his nature or style to get very angry at anything. Yet we on DU understand the content and context, but not so much with the general populous. They think reality Tv is real.

Politics is theater to an extent. Shrub got elected more on his good ol boy bullshit vs any ounce of intelligence.

I'm recommending that Obama strive to heat up the rhetoric, show more punch, and certainly spice it up once the presidential debates roll around next year. Not that he or is handlers pay attention to threads on DU... but ya never know. :)

[Whisp]

47. he might get a bit more animated closer to election

but I think he is doing great so far.

it's such a contrast between that line up of Jackwagon Dopes the Pugs have, and calm ole steady Obama. I love it. :)

[RiverStone]

52. A rusty doornob could beat the current field of GOP idiots

Yet remember, Shrub won because people related to his good ol boy stupidity.

The economy is a big drag on his re-election. Do I think he will win? Probably, but I think it will be a much tougher contest then in 08 --- no matter how ridiculous the GOP candidate is.

Every point helps --- so I hope he does get more animated in 2012. :)

[Whisp]

59. oh don't I know.

that the chimperor, as stupid and insane as he was, was (supposedly fairly but not likely) america's pick.

so surely, as you say, anything can happen and nothing is a guarantee, especially in politics.

I won't start worrying for a few months tho as I want to enjoy the fun the Repuglicans are providing with their lineup.

And if Obama does lose to one of those knuckledraggers, I say good for him - go take a vacation and a good rest with your nice family, most Americans don't deserve him anyway. Fuck all the detractors and traitors and crazies - from both sides.

[ecstatic]

38. We don't all wear our emotions on our sleeves

If that's not who he is, why would you want him to pretend?

[DefenseLawyer]

46. Yes, the DU mob is so productive

If only everyone would throw reason aside any time they feel they have the moral high ground and react with anger and vengeance, our society would be all the better for it.

[RiverStone]

48. MLK said...

"The supreme task is to organize and unite people so that their anger becomes a transforming force."

I'm not talking about throwing reason aside, i am suggesting you can be both reasonable and angry.

[redgiant]

50. A public official has to be careful

with what he/she says about ongoing criminal investigations so as not to prejudice the case.

[pnwmom]

54. Excellent point. n/t

[Number23]

62. Unrec. I'll take "measured" and "pondering" over "blisteringly stupid" any day of the week.