Betty White and Obama: A Surprising Alliance?

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses the unexpected endorsement of Barack Obama by Betty White, exploring the reactions and interpretations of this endorsement. The conversation shifts into humorous exchanges about cultural references, particularly relating to performances in films and television, and the ambiguity of statements made by participants.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express surprise at the significance of Betty White's endorsement of Obama, referencing an article by USA Today.
  • There is confusion regarding a comment about White's controversial performance in "Lake Placid," with some participants unaware of the film and interpreting the comment humorously.
  • Participants discuss the ambiguity of statements and how cultural references can lead to misunderstandings, particularly for those not familiar with American pop culture.
  • Humorous comparisons are made between Betty White and other figures, such as Bela Lugosi and Miley Cyrus, with discussions about their performances and cultural impact.
  • Some participants reflect on the nature of the thread itself, questioning its coherence and expressing a sense of befuddlement regarding the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the significance of Betty White's endorsement or the interpretations of the comments made. The discussion remains playful and ambiguous, with multiple competing views on the relevance of cultural references.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions about cultural knowledge and references, leading to confusion among participants. The thread evolves from a specific topic into a broader exploration of humor and ambiguity in communication.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in cultural commentary, humor in discussions, or the interplay between celebrity endorsements and public perception may find this thread engaging.

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Sorry, what was controversial about her performance in Lake Placid (haven't seen the film)?
 
Curious3141 said:
Sorry, what was controversial about her performance in Lake Placid (haven't seen the film)?
I meant the statement to be taken humorously. The movie is funny, and Betty White is funny in it (imo).
 
Sorry, Thomas; I was unaware of a film entitled "Lake Placid". I thought that it was a reference to the winter Olympics that were held there, so your comment just left me baffled.
"Golden Girls" notwithstanding, I contend that her best role was as Sueanne Nevins on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show". Also, when she competed on "Password", which was hosted by her husband, she really showed her improv talents.
 
Danger said:
Sorry, Thomas; I was unaware of a film entitled "Lake Placid".
Apparently, so is most of the rest of the segment of humanity that frequents the PF General Discussion forum.

Danger said:
I thought that it was a reference to the winter Olympics that were held there, so your comment just left me baffled.
I suppose it would have been possible for her to be a member of the 1980 US winter Olymics team. Sort of like the Satchel Paige of winter sports. :smile:

I've officially changed the premise of this thread to: humor via bafflingly ambiguous statements. If that's even possible. And am now aware of the Danger involved wrt making statements containing references to movies whose titles are places.

It was interesting to me that USAToday considered the Betty White endorsement important enough to write an article about it.
 
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Now you're just being silly... :-p
I thought that perhaps she had made some political or social comment about the Olympics. She is, after all, not known for holding her tongue.
Keep in mind that I'm not a Yank, so some of your cultural references elude me.
 
Danger said:
Now you're just being silly... :-p
Well, I'm trying. :smile:
 
ThomasT said:
I've officially changed the premise of this thread to: humor via bafflingly ambiguous statements.
Interesting to see this, considering Bela Lugosi's controversial performance in Plan 9 from Outer Space.
 
ThomasT said:
Well, I'm trying.

Very... :biggrin:
 
  • #10
Jimmy Snyder said:
Interesting to see this, considering Bela Lugosi's controversial performance in Plan 9 from Outer Space.

Is it still technically considered a "performance" when it's post mortem? :confused:
 
  • #11
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  • #12
Danger said:
Is it still technically considered a "performance" when it's post mortem? :confused:
(1) Exactly!, or (2) Indeed! . Your choice.
 
  • #13
Danger said:
Very... :biggrin:
:smile: Point taken.
 
  • #14
ThomasT said:
(1) Exactly!, or (2) Indeed! . Your choice.

Can't I have both? :frown:
 
  • #15
Jimmy Snyder said:
Interesting to see this, considering Bela Lugosi's controversial performance in Plan 9 from Outer Space.

I bet Lugosi would be a Ron Paul guy.
 
  • #16
lisab said:
I bet Lugosi would be a Ron Paul guy.

Why so?
 
  • #17
lisab said:
I bet Lugosi would be a Ron Paul guy.
I highly suspect that he is Ron Paul. (Well, face it... they'd be about the same age...)
 
  • #18
Does this help?
B. Lugosi said:
If I were alive today, I would be a Ron Paul guy.
Interesting to see this, considering Miley Cyrus' non-controversial performance in Hannah Montana.
 
  • #19
Jimmy Snyder said:
Does this help?
B. Lugosi said:
If I were alive today, I would be a Ron Paul guy.
Interesting to see this, considering Miley Cyrus' non-controversial performance in Hannah Montana.
Another keen observation, poignantly in line with the thread of the theme.
Did I just have a George W. Bush moment?

On a similar note, both Bela Lugosi and Duncan Renaldo (the legendary Cisco Kid) were born in Romania. I wonder if Betty White was aware of that. Or Miley Cyrus for that matter. And, if so, will USA Today do an article on it?
 
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  • #20
ThomasT said:
I wonder if Betty White was aware of that. Or Miley Cyrus for that matter.
How could she not be aware of Miley Cyrus? That kid is everywhere.
 
  • #21
Danger said:
How could she not be aware of Miley Cyrus? That kid is everywhere.
Did I mean that, or if Miley Cyrus was aware that both Bela Lugosi and Duncan Renaldo (the legendary Cisco Kid) were born in Romania?

There's a time for aggressive decision making, and a time for quiet reflection -- and now is that time.

Oh, exquisite ambiguity. We sing thy praises.
 
  • #22
ThomasT said:
Did I mean that, or if Miley Cyrus was aware that both Bela Lugosi and Duncan Renaldo (the legendary Cisco Kid) were born in Romania?

There's a time for aggressive decision making, and a time for quiet reflection -- and now is that time.

Oh, exquisite ambiguity. We sing thy praises.


I'm beginning to suspect, from your way with words, that you might be my real father. Where do you live?
 
  • #23
Danger said:
I'm beginning to suspect, from your way with words, that you might be my real father.
I don't know what that might mean, and, quite frankly, don't want to.

Danger said:
Where do you live?
This is top secret ... unless you check my PF profile, that is.

I suspect that this thread is destined for imminent lockage. And none too soon, imho. So, get your ambiguous statements posted while you can, keeping in mind that statements about Betty White's endorsement of Obama are pretty much off-topic now ... unless they're really ambiguous.
 
  • #24
I must admit at this point that I have absolutely no idea of what any of you, including me, are talking about. I therefore concede defeat and offer no resistance to thread lockage.
You are always welcome to contact me on PM, if we don't manage to assassinate each other in existing threads before that.
 
  • #25
Danger said:
I must admit at this point that I have absolutely no idea of what any of you, including me, are talking about.
Excellent.

Danger said:
I therefore concede defeat and offer no resistance to thread lockage.
There are no winners and losers wrt this thread. Only contributors. You have contributed, and your contributions are much appreciated. Nevertheless, I think it might be wise to let the thread die.

I admire Betty White's verve, aplomb, and savoir faire, but remain befuddled wrt USA Today's coverage of her endorsement of Obama. Is it just me, or what?

That's not ambiguous, but perhaps a fitting eulogy to a thread that began as an innocent statement of one news organization's coverage of one woman's opinion regarding one candidate's quest for one national office.

Danger said:
You are always welcome to contact me on PM, if we don't manage to assassinate each other in existing threads before that.
I don't know, at this time, why I would want to do either of those things. You remain, imho, PF's, if not the world's, most dangerous ... person.
 

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